Controversy Over Gangwon Research Institute's Non-Disclosure of Overseas Business Trip Reports... Transparency Under Scrutiny

Moon Kwanhyun Urges Establishment of Transparent Institutional Operations
Proposes Taebaek Office for Gangwon Research Institute's Coal Mine Area Development Support Center

Moon Kwanhyun, Gangwon Provincial Assembly member. Provided by Gangwon Provincial Assembly

The Planning and Administration Committee of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Provincial Council, chaired by Moon Kwanhyun, conducted an administrative audit of the Gangwon Research Institute on November 6.

Chairman Moon Kwanhyun strongly criticized the Gangwon Research Institute for repeatedly failing to release overseas business trip reports in a timely manner, despite repeated audit findings and internal guidelines, and called for thorough measures to prevent recurrence.

Out of seven overseas business trips funded by the Gangwon Research Institute's budget this year, one report was not released. It was confirmed that the report was only posted after Chairman Moon inquired about its disclosure to the institute on Monday, November 3.

Similarly, last year, four overseas business trip reports from 2023 were not disclosed for an extended period and were only posted much later.

This case cannot be regarded as a simple omission of a single post. The seriousness lies in the fact that the same issue recurred despite three factors: the comprehensive audit findings by the Provincial Audit Committee in 2023, the administrative audit findings in 2024, and internal guidelines for overseas business trips requiring reports to be posted on the website within 30 days of return.

Overseas business trip reports are the minimum public information required to ensure transparency in the execution of budgets funded by taxpayers. Therefore, omissions or delays in disclosure undermine the credibility of the research institute and are seen as acts that weaken the residents' right to oversight.

Furthermore, as research institutes are granted autonomy, they are also required to demonstrate corresponding transparency and a sense of responsibility. However, the continued lack of improvement despite repeated criticisms indicates the need for an overall enhancement of the management system.

In addition, Chairman Moon proposed strengthening the role of the "Coal Mine Area Development Support Center" within the Gangwon Research Institute and establishing a regional office in Taebaek.

He stated, "The coal mining regions, especially Taebaek City, which have long supported the history and local economy of Gangwon Province, are now at a turning point, facing the dual challenges of industrial decline and population decrease. To promptly reflect the unique characteristics of coal mining areas and the voices from the field, it is necessary to establish an office in Taebaek to enhance field-oriented support and research."

He also emphasized that the establishment of a Taebaek office would serve as a hub for policy research on industrial transformation and community recovery in closed mining areas. He requested that the Gangwon Research Institute actively pursue this initiative to help Taebaek and nearby closed mining regions achieve a new leap forward and lay the foundation for future growth.

Chairman Moon concluded, "The Gangwon Research Institute must remember the principle that freedom always comes with responsibility, and it should become a research institute that residents can trust by pursuing transparent work and region-centered research. The council will continue to monitor the implementation of these improvements."

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