South Korea’s former first lady, Kim Keon-hee, just had her master’s degree revoked by Sookmyung Women’s University after investigators found her 1999 thesis was riddled with plagiarism. This isn’t just about sloppy academic work—it’s a sign that the era of political spouses skating by on privilege might finally be ending.

Editor’s Note: First ladies (or spouses) often operate in a gray area—highly visible but rarely scrutinized like elected officials. This move suggests South Korea’s institutions are willing to call out misconduct, even years later, which could set a precedent for holding power couples to higher standards. For a public already skeptical of elite impunity, it’s a big deal.