Incheon University is facing serious allegations regarding the early admissions interview process for its Department of Urban Engineering, where it has been revealed that external observers were not present, despite the university's own regulations aimed at ensuring fairness. These regulations state that external participants can observe the interview process, a measure introduced by the Ministry of Education in 2019 to enhance the transparency and fairness of the admissions process. The absence of external oversight during this critical evaluation could have created an environment conducive to unethical practices, undermining trust in the admissions system.

Numerous discussions with current and former university officials indicate that two professors allegedly made comments during interviews suggesting a coordinated effort to lower certain candidates' scores. These inappropriate statements highlighted a problematic scoring practice, calling into question the integrity of the evaluation. The recordings from that day reportedly include specific mentions of grades, indicating that certain candidates were targeted for lower scores based on arbitrary criteria rather than merit. Such actions, if confirmed, represent a significant breach of ethical standards in academic admissions, raising alarms about the reliability of the admissions processes.

The university’s historical reluctance to implement external observer policies raises additional concerns. Former faculty members have pointed out that the recruitment of external observers has not been effectively enforced, suggesting that the university has not fully committed to rectifying potential biases in their admissions process. This situation prompts a critical examination of the policies and practices at Incheon University, particularly regarding adherence to regulations designed to foster transparency and fairness in academic evaluations, which are essential for maintaining public trust in higher education institutions.