Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
IBS faces probe for misusing research funds
By Baek Byung-yeul
Kim Doo-chul, president of Institute for Basic Science
By Baek Byung-yeul
The state-run Institute for Basic Science (IBS) is facing an additional audit by the science ministry for alleged misconduct, including misusing research funds and improper recruiting, according to ministry officials Monday.
Based in Daejeon, the IBS was established in 2011 with the aim of cultivating a Nobel laureate in science. The government has invested about 2 trillion won ($1.7 billion) in the organization so far but the institute has been in the hot seat for wide ranging misconduct.
The Ministry of Science and ICT conducted an inspection into the IBS from November to December last year, and also launched investigations into four affiliated research units this year.
The inspection found that several chiefs of the research units misused research funds, wielded undue influence in employment decisions, and used government funds for overseas trips.
The science ministry said it will also look into 24 IBS-affiliated research units from July to August. The IBS is comprised of 30 research units.
“We audited the IBS last year and four of its affiliated research units from February to May. As we found cases of misusing government funds, we are planning to inspect 24 other research units,” the science ministry official said. “The investigation excludes two affiliated research units which were newly established in 2018.”
The ministry added the inspection is projected to take about two months as the National Assembly's inspection of the government offices is scheduled to be held in September.
“The IBS was criticized for poor management at the National Assembly inspection in 2018. To meet the request of the National Assembly, the inspection is supposed to take about two months, but it may take longer, depending on the situation,” the official added.
A union comprised of researchers working in public organizations also urged for fundamental measures to deal with corrupt management at IBS. “The 30 chiefs of the affiliated research units are allowed to wield too much power. The management system of the IBS should be reformed so that it can prevent the abuse of power by these chiefs,” the union said.
In response the IBS said “it will file an appeal to the ministry because the subjects of the inspection have yet to be finalized.”
“We can file an appeal to the ministry by July 5. As the subjects of the inspection are not finalized, we will try to clarify suspicions that appeared in the inspection,” an IBS official said.