On August 22, Dankook University decided to form a research committee to determine the adequacy of the process of being listed as the first author in a paper in which an attorney-in-law, Cho, 28, attended an internship while attending an overseas school.

However, since the publication of the paper was 11 years ago and the fact-finding investigation was required, the time required for the fact-finding, Mr. Cho, to arrange attendance was to be adjusted.

Dankook University decided to open the research ethics committee on this issue in private at 10.30 am in Jukjeon Campus Graduate School Building, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do.

At this meeting, Professor A of Medical School, who enrolled Cho as the first author, did not attend.
After completing the meeting, Kang Nae-won, the chairman of the ethics committee, told the pending reporters that "we will focus on allegations of research truth raised in the media." .

When asked whether he is expected to attend attendance, he said, "The direction of the investigation cannot be revealed because it is a principle of secrecy." Suggested.

As a result, the Investigative Committee will cover the authenticity of various allegations, including whether Cho was listed as the first author of the thesis and whether Mr. Cho was marked as a doctor in the information registration.

According to the Dankook University Rules, the Investigation Committee decides whether or not to conduct the investigation within 30 days after conducting a preliminary investigation through a subcommittee consisting of up to five ethical members.

After the decision to commence this investigation, six or more investigators, including at least one third of the outside personnel, must be formed separately, complete the investigation within 90 days, and report the results to the Ethics Committee.

If cheating is confirmed, the Ethics Committee shall establish a separate disciplinary committee, determine the level of disciplinary action, and execute it according to the general decree.

But the school said it would be difficult to finalize the findings before Cho's appointment.

In order to find out the facts, it is necessary to coordinate the attendance schedule with all six authors of the paper, which was written 11 years ago, and because Joe is an outsider, he does not have the authority to enforce the attendance even if he is not present.

School officials said, "School officials have sanctions, such as restricting access to laboratories if they do not meet attendance requirements, but not outsiders." .

Cho became the first author of an English thesis submitted to the Korean Pathology Society in December 2008 after joining Professor A's two-week internship program.

(Photo = Yonhap News)