Reform New Party: "Yang Hyangja Falsified Academic Credentials" vs. Yang: "Old-Fashioned Political Attack"

Chun Haram Holds Emergency Press Conference, Urges "Candidate Resignation"

Yang's Side Responds: "Both Major and Sub-major Accurately Stated"

On May 25, the Reform Party raised suspicions that Yang Hyangja, the People Power Party candidate for Governor of Gyeonggi Province, listed her highest educational attainment inaccurately in the official campaign materials for the 9th Nationwide Local Elections on June 3. Yang's campaign team immediately countered, stating, "This is nothing more than an outdated political attack that denies academic conventions and historical facts."

Chun Haram, floor leader of the Reform Party, held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the same day and urged, "Candidate Yang should confess to deceiving the citizens of Gyeonggi Province and resign immediately."

Chun argued, "On page 3 of the campaign brochure, Yang refers to herself as a 'PhD in AI Strategic Management.' However, on page 2 of the brochure, in the candidate information disclosure section submitted by Yang herself, it only states 'PhD in Business Administration.' This creates a comedic inconsistency within the same campaign material."

Yang Hyangja, candidate for Governor of Gyeonggi Province from the People Power Party. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

According to the candidate information publicized by the National Election Commission, Yang earned her PhD in Business Administration from Seoul School of Integrated Sciences & Technologies.

Chun further criticized, "It seems that Yang wanted to exaggerate her credentials as an artificial intelligence (AI) expert, but this constitutes the dissemination of false information strictly prohibited under the Public Official Election Act. This is a grave matter that warrants not only disqualification and annulment of her election, but also the full return of the election reimbursement, which is funded by taxpayers' money."

Chun also stated, "Yang has repeatedly boasted through campaign materials and the media that she proposed and passed the Special Semiconductor Act in the National Assembly. If she does not resign for this blatant lie, we will immediately file a formal complaint."

He pointed out, "The Special Semiconductor Act was proposed by lawmakers Ko Dongjin, Lee Unju, Song Seokjun, Park Sooyoung, and others. The name Yang Hyangja does not appear anywhere on the list of sponsors. This bill was proposed in June 2024, after the opening of the 22nd National Assembly, and it only passed the plenary session on January 29 this year. Yang's term ended in May 2024, making her a 'former' lawmaker. Is she someone who transcends time and space?"

Cho Eungcheon, the Reform Party candidate for Governor of Gyeonggi Province, emphasized, "The key issue is whether there is a possibility of misleading voters and whether it poses a risk of influencing the election results. There is ample potential to mislead and sway voters, which could impact the outcome and result in the nullification of her election."

In response, Yang's campaign issued a statement explaining, "Officially, Yang holds a 'PhD in Business Administration,' and it is also an undeniable fact that her area of specialization is AI Strategic Management. This is analogous to a doctoral degree in journalism and broadcasting, where the official degree name is listed as 'PhD in Literature.'"

The campaign further stated, "The bill Yang proposed in the 21st National Assembly is commonly known as the 'K-Chips Act,' which laid the foundation for the Korean semiconductor industry. Since 'chips' refers to semiconductors, it is only natural to refer to it as the 'Special Semiconductor Act.'"

Additionally, "We clearly indicated the year of proposal before the bill's name, ensuring it is easily distinguishable from other similar bills proposed or passed later."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.