"Nobel Prize Aspirations"…4 Major Science and Technology Institutes Suffering from 'Corruption and Deviance'

Lower Integrity Than National and Public Research Institutes
Plagued by Internal Corruption and Misconduct
Integrity Pledge Rally Held on the 14th

▲Daedeok Innopolis, where many government-funded research institutes are located. [Photo by Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The four major science and technology institutes, the highest institutions of higher education in Korean science and technology, are mired in moral hazard. Their integrity levels are significantly lower compared to other research institutions and national universities. Although established for nurturing science and technology prodigies and research and development (R&D), they have not produced any Nobel laureates in science and are instead plagued by internal corruption and scandals.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 14th, the results of the integrity evaluation conducted last year by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission showed that the four major science and technology institutes?Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), and Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)?received an average score of 7.26, which is much lower than the national average of 7.79 for 35 public universities.

In fact, KAIST, the eldest among them, is suffering from frequent internal corruption and misconduct. In May, KAIST was found by the Ministry of Science and ICT to have abused authority when Professor A confiscated a student's research PC and external hard drive without consent and banned access to the laboratory, resulting in a warning. Earlier this year, an audit of the KAIST Development Foundation revealed that a dispatched employee from the main campus engaged in inappropriate tasks related to payment of remaining balances for business land in Gongju City and construction contracts, and mismanaged funds, leading to suspension and severe disciplinary action.

Last year, Professor Lee was convicted for leaking autonomous driving technology after being recruited by China’s 'Thousand Talents Plan.' In June, a professor known for running a conservative YouTube channel and making social media remarks such as "pro-Japanese is normal" was suspended after being accused of sexually assaulting an acquaintance on the streets of Gangnam, Seoul, causing a major social controversy.

KAIST received a grade 4 once in the 2018 integrity evaluation by the Anti-Corruption Commission but was ranked last with grade 5 in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019. Since the inauguration of new President Lee Kwang-hyung in April this year, KAIST has launched a special committee to improve integrity, but visible results have yet to be seen.

The situation is similar at other institutes. GIST received the lowest grade 5 in the integrity evaluations from 2015 to 2019, ranking lowest among 30 public institutions under the Ministry of Science and ICT. UNIST received grade 3 in 2015 and 2016 but fell to grade 5 for the following three years. DGIST showed some improvement with grade 2 in 2017 but deteriorated with consecutive grade 4 in 2018 and 2019.

Accordingly, the government is also taking measures. The four major science and technology institutes are conducting 'self-integrity evaluations' similar to those by the Anti-Corruption Commission to seek improvement plans. They have also formed the 'Ministry of Science and ICT - Science and Technology Institutes Integrity Improvement Inspection Meeting' and the 'Four Major Science Institutes Integrity Working Council' to continuously promote joint publicity and share best practices.

On the same day, the 'Four Major Science and Technology Institutes Integrity Pledge Ceremony' was held to declare internal commitment and external determination. All executives from presidents to department heads signed integrity pledges covering efforts to prevent corruption, eradication of improper solicitations, prohibition of receiving money or gifts, and fair job performance. They also signed a business agreement to establish a cooperative system for enhancing integrity, exchange information on integrity tasks, and jointly improve systems.

Ko Seo-gon, Director of the Research and Development Policy Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "The four major science and technology institutes are representative research institutions of our country and educational institutions nurturing future science and technology talents, and they must serve as models of integrity in our science and technology community. We must re-examine whether the customary practices within the science and technology sector meet the public’s expectations and become science and technology institutes trusted by the people."

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