DIPLOMA MILLS

As an update to our previous post, the diploma mill scandal in South Korea, has sadly become a soap opera of unexpected magnitude.

Surprisingly, what began as an investigation into bogus college credentials, now involves a widening array of celebrity characters – including a disappearing and reappearing art curator, a presidential official, a popular Buddhist monk (Venerable Ji Gwang), a celebrated actress (Yoon Suk-hwa) and others in business, education, art and entertainment.

Those involved in the scandal have suffered major blows to their reputations and careers amidst revelations about fake college degrees and falsified credentials.

Shin Jeong-ah, the esteemed art curator who was among the first to fall from grace, remains front page news in Korea because she initially fled the country, then returned  to face possible criminal charges. Although no charges have yet been filed, the ensuing investigation linked her to then-Senior Presidential Secretary for National Policy, Byeon Yang-kyoon.

He is accused of using his political influence to ensure that Shin, his alleged mistress, would be appointed as director of the largest contemporary art exhibition in Asia, the Gwangju Biennale.  Criminal charges may be filed against Byeon Yang-kyoon for influence peddling and other improprieties; and he has since resigned from his government post.

Diploma mill tales are destined for unhappy endings. After all, the lies and deceit can be uncovered at any moment by anyone. Usually, the bogus degree will be discovered at the pinnacle of a career; because at higher levels of responsibility, background and credential checks are more detailed and thorough.

The wise person will choose to earn an accredited online degree , not buy a fake one. Then there is no need to lie awake at night wondering when the axe  is going to fall.  More than a few major players in this unending drama spent over 30 years building a successful career, only to discover that their house was built on sand rather than on solid rock.

And this storm has brought their walls tumbling down.

More information on this story can be found in the International Herald Tribune, Washington Post, Sydney Morning Herald, and Yale Daily News.

accredited online degree, diploma mill, South Korea, college, bogus degree, fake college degree, education, Shin Jeong-ah, Gwangju Biennale, art, career, job, Yoon Suk-hwa, Venerable Ji Gwang

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