South Korea Revokes Former First Lady Kim Keon-hee's Master's Degree Over Plagiarism

Kim Taehyung, known as BTS' V, has been celebrated as South Korea's "National Treasure" due to his significant musical achievements and cultural influence, including being named the Honorary Tourism Ambassador of Seoul in 2023. His impact extends beyond music, inspiring tourism and large-scale public celebrations on his birthday across multiple cities. Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will not attend the upcoming NATO summit in the Netherlands, citing domestic priorities and Middle East tensions following recent US strikes on Iran; this decision delays his anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trump and raises questions about missed diplomatic and economic opportunities. In academic and political realms, Sookmyung Women’s University revoked the master’s degree of Kim Keon-hee, the current first lady, due to plagiarism, signaling increased public demand for accountability not only for elected officials but also for their families. This move reflects a broader cultural shift in South Korea toward transparency and ethical scrutiny in both politics and academia. These developments collectively highlight South Korea's evolving domestic priorities, cultural influence, and political accountability.