Kwasilyeon Launches "Special Committee for a Better Science and Technology Society" to Strengthen Protection of Researchers' Rights

The National Union for the Realization of a Righteous Science and Technology Society (Kwasilyeon) has launched a special committee aimed at improving irrational and unfair practices in research settings, and has begun in earnest to strengthen the protection of researchers' rights and interests.

On April 5, Kwasilyeon announced that it has established the "Special Committee for a Better Science and Technology Society" and appointed Jaemin Park, Co-CEO (Professor at Konkuk University), as its chairperson. In addition, the committee has set up the "Center for Public Interest for a Better Society," dedicated to providing legal support and handling public interest reports.

Jaemin Park, Co-Representative of the Fruit Association and Professor at Konkuk University. Provided by the Fruit Association

This special committee has been launched as a measure to create a people-centered R&D environment where researchers can focus fully on their work without the burden of administrative tasks and unfair practices. Kwasilyeon will focus on addressing structural imbalances and institutional irrationality in research environments.

The committee will primarily pursue institutional reforms centered on five core tasks: ▲ protection of researchers' rights and human rights ▲ protection of intellectual property (IP) rights ▲ legal protection for researchers involved in technology leakage cases ▲ identification and improvement of infringements on research environment autonomy ▲ ensuring fairness in recruitment and personnel management.

The committee also aims to prevent violations of basic rights caused by administrative convenience, guarantee rightful ownership of research outcomes, and improve unfair technology transfer practices. It will provide legal assistance to researchers unintentionally involved in technology leakage.

In particular, the Center for Public Interest for a Better Society, established as an investigative body under the committee, will serve as a reporting channel for cases of rights infringements and unfair practices in research environments. Attorney Byunghan Ahn (from Hanbyul Law Firm) has been appointed as the center's director, and the center plans to support researchers through legal advice in the fields of intellectual property rights and fair trade.

An Junmo, Executive Director of Kwasilyeon, stated, "Scientific and technological progress is only possible when researchers' autonomy and fair opportunities are guaranteed," adding, "With the launch of this special committee, we aim to further enhance transparency in the science and technology ecosystem."

Jaemin Park, chairperson of the special committee, emphasized, "We have continuously raised the need for fundamental reforms to the national R&D system and for researcher-centered change," and added, "We will work with the government, the National Assembly, and various stakeholders to establish a practical institutional foundation that can restore researchers' pride."

Kwasilyeon will accept reports of unfair practices and proposals for institutional improvement through its website at all times, and plans to announce policy recommendations and hold debates in conjunction with the National Assembly based on these submissions.

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