Amid Allegations of Researcher Recruitment Corruption... Gangwon-do Launches Second Detailed Investigation

Province Secures Score Sheets and Internal Meeting Minutes Related to Regular Researcher Recruitment Over the Past Two Years

Provided by Gangwon Research Institute

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangwon Province has launched a second detailed investigation into the detailed materials secured through an on-site investigation regarding allegations of recruitment corruption involving a senior researcher at the Gangwon Research Institute.

According to Gangwon Province on the 13th, the province concluded a special inspection of the Gangwon Research Institute conducted from the 6th to the 9th and is currently analyzing detailed materials related to recruitment and personnel affairs obtained so far.

The Gangwon Research Institute, which serves as a think tank for Gangwon Province, became embroiled in controversy when former director Park Young-il hired A, a former student whose doctoral thesis he supervised during his university professor days, as a regular staff member through the '2021 1st Regular Staff Open Recruitment' held in February this year.

It was also revealed that former director Park served as a director at a non-profit organization where A was the representative. The institute did not hire anyone in the '4th Industrial Revolution' and 'Regional Studies' fields due to a lack of qualified candidates among the three research positions in '4th Industrial Revolution,' 'Science and Technology,' and 'Regional Studies.'

Among the three first-round successful candidates in the 'Science and Technology' field, A was the only one finally hired, raising suspicions that the open recruitment was tailored for a specific individual.

In response, former director Park explained, "All recruitments are conducted legally according to established procedures, so I could not have been involved," and added, "I found out later that my student was hired, but it is just a coincidence."

The core of the investigation is whether former director Park had any direct or indirect involvement in the blind recruitment process or in A's hiring.

Additionally, the investigation covers the appointment of two recruitment candidates as members of the Gangwon ST (Science and Technology Advisory Committee) organized under former director Park's administration, the operation of visiting researchers receiving monthly research support funds of 2 to 3 million KRW, and the participation of committee members as interviewers.

A provincial official stated, "We plan to continue document investigations based on the materials secured during the on-site investigation."

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