[2021 National Audit] "Government-funded Research Institutes Neglect Expensive Equipment Worth Tens of Millions"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] There have been criticisms that government-funded research institutes are wasting budgets by neglecting expensive research equipment.

On the 1st, at the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee's audit of the Ministry of Science and ICT, Assemblyman Jo Jeong-sik of the Democratic Party of Korea revealed that after personally visiting four government research institutes in Daejeon on the 3rd of last month to inspect the storage conditions of research equipment, such issues were found.

According to Assemblyman Jo, at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, research equipment was stored outdoors, and upon checking the dates, it was found to have been left exposed during heavy rain and other severe weather conditions. This equipment was a device worth approximately 25 million KRW purchased in 2017.

Additionally, at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, research equipment was stored in a poorly maintained warehouse covered in dust, and at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology and the Korea Institute of Energy Research, research equipment was left unattended in indoor corridors.

Minister Cho stated, "There were no proper storage regulations for expensive research equipment worth tens of millions of won," and urged, "We need to assess the situation and develop management measures."

Minister Lim Hye-sook of the Ministry of Science and ICT responded by saying, "For somewhat older research equipment owned by government research institutes, we will create a system that allows universities to utilize them if necessary," and added, "For equipment currently frequently used at government research institutes, we will prepare measures to ensure they are maintained in better condition."

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