[2020 National Audit] Park Young-sun "Apologizes on Behalf for Issues with Former Jung Jin-gong Chairman Lee Sang-jik"

Allegations of Mismanagement and Personnel Misconduct in Export Incubator Project Met with "Apology Instead"

Minister Park Young-sun of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups attended the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups at the Industry, Trade, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee held at the National Assembly on the 26th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups, expressed "I apologize on behalf" regarding Lee Sang-jik, former Chairman of the Korea SMEs and Startups Promotion Agency, who is facing various allegations including mismanagement of the Export Incubator project and personnel irregularities.

At the comprehensive audit of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee held on the 26th, Minister Park responded this way to questions from Jo Jeong-hoon, a member of the Transition Korea party, who pointed out allegations of misconduct by former Chairman Lee.

Earlier, Rep. Jo pointed out, "During former Chairman Lee's tenure at the Korea SMEs and Startups Promotion Agency, the Hanoi overseas export incubator office in Vietnam, which was ranked 18th, became number one, and an employee who traveled abroad with the chairman was rapidly promoted to a position that normally takes six years in just one year and five months, indicating serious problems."

Rep. Jo especially emphasized, "The person who reported the unfairness faced retaliatory personnel actions such as suspension, showing a representative case of how the chairman personally damaged a public institution for his own rights and interests," adding, "The Ministry of SMEs and Startups' audit is insufficient for this matter, so an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection is inevitable."

In response, Minister Park said, "I apologize on behalf for the issues that occurred under the former chairman," and added, "After reviewing the Export Incubator project and personnel allegations, although the Korea SMEs and Startups Promotion Agency did not violate regulations or laws, there are emotional aspects that need improvement."

When Rep. Jo requested additional questions and pointed out, "The former chairman's misconduct is not due to immature systems but rather due to his knowing abuse of them," Minister Park replied, "It seems too far for me to comment on that," and added, "Since we are fully aware of the issues through data investigation, we will take measures through an internal audit."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.