Seoul National University may check academic papers of independent presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo after his foes raised suspicions of plagiarism.

A research ethics committee will convene Wednesday, where members will discuss whether or not to launch an investigation to verify the claims against Ahn, its former professor, the Seoul-based university said Sunday.

The move comes after lawmakers of the ruling Saenuri Party urged SNU to step in during a parliamentary audit of the state-run university.

Under suspicion are four of his papers, including a 1991 thesis he wrote for a doctorate degree in medicine from SNU.

A medical doctor, star venture entrepreneur and professor, Ahn led SNU’s Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology from 2011 until September this year. He resigned from the post after announcing his bid for the presidency.

(milaya@heraldcorp.com)