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[garykasparov]

Forged credentials

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2007/11/05/200711050018.asp

Not a whole week has passed since the state prosecutor indicted Shin Jeong-ah for obtaining a university faculty position with forged academic credentials, along with a senior government official, with whom she had an "inappropriate relationship," for peddling influence on her behalf. Yet new scandals are unfolding, this time involving those who used fake diplomas to be commissioned as junior military officers, or bogus certificates of admission, in order to delay being conscripted.

The Ministry of Defense said that a total of 23 young men had submitted fake Philippine university diplomas since 2003, so as to be selected as cadets. Two of them finished military service last year, and the others were disqualified last month -- eight of them before being commissioned as junior officers, and the remaining 13 during their active duty.

An investigation, which started after the Shin Jeong-ah scandal surfaced, confirmed that all of the criminal suspects used the same brokers to obtain forged university diplomas. This crime might have stayed buried, if not for the major scandal involving Shin.

But the question is why the ministry allowed itself to be deceived for such a long time. A simple letter sent for confirmation would have proved that all the diplomas were forged. The ministry should be held accountable for such negligence.

If it wishes to avoid any more embarrassment, the ministry will do well to expand its investigation to confirm the authenticity of all diplomas, both domestic and foreign, that are placed under the purview of the statute of limitations. The ministry will also have to launch a new investigation into the allegation that many young men have submitted bogus certificates of admission to foreign universities, for the purpose of delaying conscription into active duty. Some of them have reportedly obtained permanent-resident status, so as to dodge military service. But no one should be allowed to get away with forging academic credentials.







2007.11.05

[Young FRANKenstein]