A Dongguk University professor in the Department of Cultural Heritage Studies has been dismissed following allegations that he made inappropriate remarks and engaged in unwanted physical contact with female students at a gathering after a field trip.
According to Dongguk University, the faculty disciplinary committee voted to dismiss the professor on June 16, and the university finalized the dismissal Monday.
Students alleged that at a dinner following a departmental field trip in December 2023, the professor had a female student sit next to him and told her that her voice had "sexual appeal."
At a separate gathering in October 2024, he allegedly told one female student that his real reason for scheduling a meeting with her on a particular date was that he "wanted to drink with her." He also allegedly remarked that "the joy of scholarship is far greater than sleeping with a woman."
Students also alleged that inappropriate physical contact occurred during these incidents and raised the matter with the university.
Dongguk University had previously investigated the allegations and, at a faculty disciplinary committee meeting in December last year, handed the professor a three-month suspension.
Further deliberations followed, ultimately resulting in the decision to dismiss him.
With the dismissal, the professor has lost his faculty status. The case has drawn attention in academic circles as an example of a university applying stricter standards to sexual harassment allegations arising from the power imbalance between professors and students.
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