Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant under prosecution investigation, KHNP achieves 'Grade 1' integrity... KHNP fails

A view of the headquarters of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. (Photo by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, which was investigated by prosecutors regarding the early shutdown of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant and economic feasibility evaluation, received the highest integrity rating from the government. Korea Coal Corporation, which remained at the lowest rating last year, achieved a grade 1 this year. On the other hand, Korea District Heating Corporation remained at a failing grade 5.

On the 9th, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced the '2020 Integrity Measurement Results' for 580 public institutions (45 central administrative agencies, 243 local governments, 90 education and education support offices, and 202 public service-related organizations).

Table of the '2020 Public Institution Integrity Measurement Results' announced by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission on the 9th. (Source: Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission)

KHNP and Korea Coal Corporation, along with Statistics Korea, the Administrative City Construction Agency, and the National Health Insurance Service, received an overall integrity grade of 1. KHNP received grade 2 for both 'external integrity,' evaluated by the public, and 'internal integrity,' evaluated by its employees. Korea Coal Corporation achieved grade 1 in internal integrity but received grade 2 in external integrity, which is the public evaluation indicator.

Table of the '2020 Public Institution Integrity Measurement Results' announced by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission on the 9th. (Source: Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission)

Notably, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the main administrative body responsible for the 'Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant administration,' remained at grade 4. A representative from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission explained, "Integrity evaluations are conducted based on surveys targeting major complainants and stakeholders rather than reflecting every individual incident occurring within the organization." They added, "If issues arise such as KHNP board members or other stakeholders being investigated or indicted by prosecutors, it will be reflected next year and result in point deductions."

Korea District Heating Corporation received an overall integrity grade of 5, along with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Gwangju Metropolitan City, and the Small and Medium Business Corporation. The commission official explained, "In cases of corruption incidents, if disciplinary actions were taken between July last year and June this year, they are subject to initial point deductions," and "If it is confirmed that major corruption cases have led to prosecution by prosecutors, it will be reflected in the evaluation."

The integrity survey was conducted via phone and online from August to November, targeting 208,152 people (153,141 for external integrity and 55,011 for internal integrity). Each institution must post the survey results on their website for at least one month. For public institutions, the integrity scores announced on this day will be reflected in the Ministry of Economy and Finance's public institution management evaluation for next year.

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