Controversy is brewing after a figure who resigned from a university amid allegations of sexually harassing a former student received the Order of Industrial Service Merit. The Ministry of Science and ICT said the award was granted because no related facts were confirmed in official records, but added that, since concerns have been raised, it will review the possibility of follow-up measures under the relevant regulations.
According to the science and technology community on the 22nd, Mr. A received the government decoration one rank below an order of merit—the Order of Industrial Service Merit—at the Science and ICT Day event held the previous day. However, Mr. A is known to have left the school after allegations surfaced in 2011 that, while serving as a professor at B University, Mr. A sexually harassed a student, prompting criticism over the appropriateness of the award.
During a survey conducted by the B Graduate School student council at the time, there was also a claim that Mr. A made physical contact, saying they should dance the blues. After the student council began its investigation, Mr. A submitted a resignation letter, and the school is said to have accepted it.
An official at the Ministry of Science and ICT said, "No official records related to the allegations were confirmed during the screening process for this award," and added, "Since issues have been raised, we plan to review whether post-award measures are possible under the relevant regulations."