Billions Embezzled in Cash and Equipment... Ministry of Science and ICT Holds 'Integrity Pledge Rally' as a Too-Late Measure

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Recently, the public sector has been embroiled in moral hazard controversies due to allegations of real estate speculation related to the 3rd New Town by LH employees. In response, the Ministry of Science and ICT held an Integrity Pledge Rally on the morning of the 15th to vow the eradication of corruption. Although this is a measure to address repeated misconduct by its own employees and affiliated research institutes, some criticize it as "locking the barn after the horse is lost."

On this day, the Ministry of Science and ICT held the Integrity Pledge Rally at its Sejong City office, with all senior officials including Minister Choi Ki-young participating, and the auditor reading the integrity pledge. The main contents of the pledge included ▲ eradication of improper solicitations ▲ prohibition of accepting money or valuables ▲ fair performance of duties. At the event, Minister Choi emphasized, "Since we handle important policies and large budgets for the nation's future, the public's demand for integrity is high," and added, "Senior officials need to take the lead in spreading a culture of integrity and eradicating corruption." The Ministry's Audit Office stated, "We plan to continuously implement various anti-corruption and integrity policies such as integrity education and sending integrity letters to create a public service culture free from solicitations."

This integrity pledge by the Ministry of Science and ICT is closely related to the recent series of scandals and corruption both inside and outside the ministry. On the 10th, National Assembly member Yang Jeong-suk revealed that two employees of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), a government-funded research institute under the Ministry, embezzled about 6.7 billion KRW in patent-related expenses over six years. The head of the patent department, Director A, and employee B colluded with C Patent Office to embezzle about 6.7 billion KRW in patent fees over approximately 200 occasions from June 2014 to July 2020.

KIMM received an internal report on suspicious misconduct at the end of November last year, conducted a two-month confidential investigation, uncovered these facts, and on the 4th of last month filed a complaint with the prosecution against the two employees and C Patent Office. In response, Assembly member Yang said, "The approval process in the patent management department is problematic, but the government's and NST's lax supervision is a bigger issue," urging, "The Ministry of Science and ICT must now grasp the overall situation of related institutions, improve it, and devise strong measures to prevent recurrence."

The audit results announced by the Board of Audit and Inspection in January revealed multiple misconducts, including employees of the Central Radio Management Office breaking antennas of mobile radio measurement equipment and attempting to disguise it as an accident. Corruption has also been continuous in affiliated research institutes; for example, the audit results announced in July last year confirmed that an employee of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) embezzled tens of billions of won worth of computers and other equipment from a student's office over several years.

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