Yale University Embarrassed by Shin’s Claim

Regarding Shin Jeong-ah’s certificate fabrication case, Yale University said that the school is terribly embarrassed that Shin still claims her graduation from Yale University, even if it is revealed to be untrue.

Zilla Linstein, public relations official of the School of Arts and Science at Yale University, said, during phone interview on Monday, “We know that Ms. Shin is being questioned by the prosecution and she still claims her graduation from Yale University. This is a very regretful situation. Shin is fabricating the story entirely.”

She also said, “In fact, we have double-checked in case of a mistake. But we reconfirmed that Shin has never studied at this school and never turned in doctorial dissertation. There is no student and faculty member who has met Ms. Shin on campus.”

Regarding Shin’s contact with the school, the official said, “There has been no contact from Shin.”

She also stressed, “The doctorial dissertation that Shin claims to be her thesis is a copy of one written by a graduate school student of the University of Virginia.”

Meanwhile, Jeong, 39, who works on Wall Street after graduating from Yale University, said, “A few days ago, I met my American friend who went to school with me and I told him about Shin’s case. My friend said that it is unbelievable,” adding, “If Shin keeps arguing that she received a degree from Yale, I think it could humiliate all Koreans.”

kong@donga.com