Professor who called wartime victims "prostitutes" gets 3-month pay cut

The university's philosophy alumni association had requested the university expel the professor, who faces charges for defaming Korean victims of wartime sexual slavery.

A banner by Kyung Hee University's philosophy alumni association urges the university to expel Choi Jung-sik, a philosophy professor that said Korean victims of wartime sexual slavery voluntarily participated in prostitution. [YONHAP]

The Kyung Hee University professor facing charges for defaming Korean victims of wartime sexual slavery will receive a three-month pay cut.

Choi Jung-sik, a philosophy professor, said during a class in March last year that victims of wartime sexual slavery voluntarily engaged in prostitution and their testimonies were all lies.

The university's philosophy alumni association had requested the university expel Choi.

The Kyung Hee Educational Corporation is instead dealing Choi a three-month pay cut as punishment for ruining the reputation of the university and failing to maintain the dignity of an educator, the university's philosophy alumni association said Thursday.

According to university guidelines, faculty members receive two-thirds of their salary in a pay cut.

Faculty members can face five levels of disciplinary action. A pay cut is the fourth-most severe level of punishment.

Choi is also barred from ever being named an honorary professor, as penalized faculty are not eligible for the title.

The police also launched an investigation after civic group Public Welfare Committee filed a complaint against Choi for defamation. Lee Yong-soo, a survivor of Japanese wartime sexual slavery, is also requesting the police press charges.

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]