Morse H. Tan (center), former Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, speaks about the problems regarding the advance voting for South Korea's June 3 early presidential election at a press conference held by the International Election Observer Group at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, on May 27. / Reporter Heo Gyeom  

Morse H. Tan (Korean name: Dan Hyun-myung), former Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice (currently Dean of Liberty University School of Law), has issued a clear statement refuting the false rumors surrounding him, urging critics to "cease these smear campaigns." 

On the 12th (local time), former Ambassador Tan, who visited Korea as a member of the International Election Observer Group during the June 3 early presidential election, released the statement via social media through his acquaintance, former National Assembly member Min Kyung-wook. In it, he stated, "While we are on the subject of false claims, let me address these additional allegations by simply telling the truth," before proceeding with his rebuttal. 

According to the post translated into Korean by former Rep. Min, Tan stated, "My wife and I entered our marriage as virgins and have remained faithful to each other ever since," and added, "I have never given or received a bribe." 

He also addressed allegations from some quarters that he is affiliated with the Unification Church. Tan stated firmly, "I am not a 'Moonie,' and I have never been a member of the Unification Church," adding, "I am a Christian who believes in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior." 'Moonie' is a term used to refer to followers of the Unification Church. 

Tan currently serves as the Dean of Liberty University School of Law. Liberty University is an institution recognized by mainstream American Protestant denominations. It is a traditional Christian university that maintained overwhelmingly high support for Donald Trump even during the pressures he faced under the Biden administration. Followers of the Unification Church are not permitted to serve as faculty members there. 

He also provided a clear explanation regarding his career as a diplomat. Tan elaborated, "I was thoroughly investigated by the U.S. government before I was nominated and confirmed as the first Asian-American Ambassador-at-Large in U.S. history." 

He further explained, "My PSAT score was nearly perfect, and my SAT score was 70 points higher than the Harvard average at the time. I was ranked first in my class by GPA at Menlo High School, which Princeton evaluates as the 'best school in the West,' and I received mostly 'A' grades at Northwestern University School of Law." 

In the United States, it is common for high school students with exceptional academic records across the 50 states to choose not to attend East Coast Ivy League schools due to 'in-state' privileges. In-state programs are educational policies that provide significant benefits, such as tuition waivers and scholarships, to students who choose to attend public universities within their own state. 

Consequently, students from immigrant families facing financial difficulties often choose to attend local universities in their home states rather than East Coast Ivy League institutions. For instance, looking at the colleges attended by top 'valedictorians,' the ratio of those entering in-state versus prestigious out-of-state universities—particularly among children of immigrant families—is often split about 50/50. 

Because some individuals with a lack of understanding of the American system criticized him for attending Wheaton College—despite it being a prestigious liberal arts college—Tan used this statement to point out their misguided biases and lack of knowledge. 

Tan further noted, "I served as the second Korean-American law school dean in U.S. history," and added, "I was promoted to full professor at an Illinois law school at a record-young age, seven years younger than the next youngest professor." 

He continued, "I served as a founding professor of Handong International Law School, which operates the first American-style JD program in Asia. At that time, my salary was lower than the lowest reported salary of any Northwestern Law School graduate." It is a well-known fact that while working in Korea, Tan accepted a salary significantly lower than his qualifications warranted, out of a sense of dedication to his homeland. Kim Mi-young, head of VON, who served as a professor during the same period, also recalled this in a broadcast. 

In closing, Tan urged an end to the baseless slander and defamation, stating, "Do not believe all the ridiculous, groundless smears against me," and emphasized, "Their lies cannot stand in the face of the truth." 

Below is the statement from former Ambassador Morse H. Tan, translated into Korean by former Rep. Min Kyung-wook. 

1. My wife and I entered our marriage as virgins and have remained faithful to each other ever since.

2. I have never given or received a bribe.

3. I am not a 'Moonie,' and I have never been a member of the Unification Church.

4. I am a Christian who believes in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

5. I was thoroughly investigated by the U.S. government before I was nominated and confirmed as the first Asian-American Ambassador-at-Large in U.S. history.

6. My PSAT score was nearly perfect, and my SAT score was 70 points higher than the Harvard average at the time. I was ranked first in my class by GPA at Menlo High School, which Princeton evaluates as the 'best school in the West.'

7. I received mostly 'A' grades at Northwestern University School of Law.

8. I served as the second Korean-American law school dean in U.S. history.

9. I was promoted to full professor at an Illinois law school at a record-young age, seven years younger than the next youngest professor.

10. I served as a founding professor of Handong International Law School, which operates the first American-style JD program in Asia. At that time, my salary was lower than the lowest reported salary of any Northwestern Law School graduate.

Do not believe all the ridiculous, groundless smears against me! Their lies cannot stand in the face of the truth.

While we are on the subject of false claims, let me address additional ones with simply telling the truth: 1) my wife and I have remained faithful to each other after entering marriage with our virginity intact; 2) I have never given nor received a bribe; 3) I am not a "Moonie" and have never been part of the Unification Church; 4) I am a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, who is my Lord and Savior; 5) I was already thoroughly investigated by the U.S. government prior to my nomination and confirmation as the 1st Asian American Ambassador at Large in U.S. history; 6) my PSAT was almost perfect and my SAT was 70 points higher than the average at Harvard at that time; I was #1 in my class in GPA at Menlo High School, which Princeton considers the best in the West; 7) I mostly received A's at Northwestern University School of Law; 8) I served as the 2nd Korean-American law school dean in American history; 9) I was promoted as the youngest full professor at an Illinois law school; the next youngest was 7 years older than me; 10) I served as a founding professor of Handong International Law School, the 1st American JD program in Asia.  My salary was lower than the lowest reported salary for all alumni of Northwestern University School of Law.  Do not believe all the crazy slander that has been committed against me!  Their lies do not stand against the truth.

Social media post by former National Assembly member Min Kyung-wook, introducing the statement by former Ambassador-at-Large Morse H. Tan.