Jeonbuk National University professor indicted over alleged sexual harrassment

A Jeonbuk National University professor has been indicted without detention on charges of sexually harassing students, according to the university and the Jeonju District Prosecutor's Office on Thursday.

Jeonbuk National University's campus in Jeonju, North Jeolla [JEONBUK NATIONAL UNIVERSITY]

A Jeonbuk National University professor has been indicted without detention on charges of sexually harassing students, according to the university and the Jeonju District Prosecutor's Office on Thursday.

The case was first reported to Jeonbuk National University's human rights center in May last year, with three female graduate school students stating they have been sexually harassed by the professor multiple times.

Following an investigation by the human rights center, the professor was given a three-month suspension by the university in December last year.

However, the three students reported the professor to the police for sexual harassment when the professor returned to the university in March. Initially, the students had requested the professor be dismissed.

One of the three victims have currently dropped out of the university's graduate school.

Disciplinary actions against national university professors are regulated by the Decree on Disciplinary Action against Public Educational Officials.

According to the decree, faculty members can face six levels of disciplinary action, with suspension being the fourth-most severe level of punishment. Faculty members don't receive their pay check during the suspension period.

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