Prime Minister candidate Kim Min-seok said on the 19th regarding obtaining a master's degree in law from Tsinghua University in China, “I completed my studies at Tsinghua University while serving as a supreme committee member of the Democratic Party outside of the National Assembly,” and “I managed to handle all the classes and exams required by China’s top prestigious university.”
Candidate Kim stated through his Facebook on the same day, “There are claims about the Chinese degree. They say, ‘Is it impossible? Are you a Superman?’” and “I undertook the three-year doctoral program at an American law school and the one-year master's program at a Chinese law school simultaneously.”
He claimed regarding class attendance, “I attended the morning supreme meetings on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, alternating missing one day a week, and I burned the midnight oil commuting by plane for my studies.”
Regarding tuition and expenses for attending classes, he said, “It was all about using the empty Air China morning flights at discounted prices and making long-term reservations for cheap accommodations near the school at 30,000 won a day 2-3 days a week” and “I endured with half the tuition and living expenses compared to the United States.”
He added, “I will soon disclose my records of entry and exit from China and flight itineraries,” and “The Tsinghua University Law School is not a university that hands out degrees indiscriminately.”
He mentioned, “I received credits from the Tsinghua University master's program in Chinese law that were also recognized as credits for the American Doctor of Law degree,” adding, “This was a difficult decision for the proud American law schools to make, but my claims and persuasion worked.”
He further noted, “I also wrote a thesis in China,” saying, “It was a significant and original argument where I addressed the issue of defectors under international law and conveyed our message to China.”
Candidate Kim responded to the delay in submitting the required documents for the confirmation hearing, stating, “As of today, we have not exceeded the submission deadline as stipulated by the confirmation hearing law,” and “We will submit it within the deadline and regulations.”
He expressed respect for the enthusiasm of the opposition People Power Party lawmakers requesting his verification, but he added, “I also hope for a balanced perspective and rational counterarguments. I look forward to discussions on policies and visions.”
According to the request for the personnel confirmation hearing, Candidate Kim obtained a master's degree in law from Tsinghua University in China on July 15, 2010. The period that Candidate Kim attended Tsinghua University was 11 months, during which he served as a supreme committee member of the Democratic Party and prepared to run for mayor of Busan.
In response to this, the People Power Party raised suspicions, stating, “Has Candidate Kim set up an agent in China or used a body double? A clear explanation is needed.”