"This Is a First"... Radical Choice in the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee Audit

Introduction time given to all participating research institute heads
Chairman Choi Min-hee "Decided by bipartisan agreement... Considering new methods next year as well"

On the 17th, an unusual situation occurred to boost the morale of scientists and engineers during the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee's audit held at the main auditorium of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon.

On the 17th, directors of government-funded research institutes under the Ministry of Science and ICT took an oath at the National Assembly inspection held at the KAIST auditorium in Daejeon. Photo by Baek Jong-min

The audit targeted government-funded research institutes (GFRIs) under the Ministry of Science and ICT and the four major science and technology institutes. The heads of GFRIs, public institutions related to science and technology, as well as the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, the head of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters, and the deputy director of the Aerospace Administration attended.

At 10 a.m. that day, Choi Min-hee, chairperson of the Science and Technology Information and Broadcasting Committee, declared the start of the audit and allowed the attending GFRI heads and heads of public institutions under the Ministry of Science and ICT to give opening remarks.

Starting with Oh Sang-rok, president of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), all attending institution heads introduced the roles of their respective organizations. Kim Sung-soo, chairman of the Science and Technology Personnel Mutual Aid Association, expressed gratitude, saying, "I have attended many audits, but this is the first time I have been given such an opportunity to speak." A Ministry of Science and ICT official also said, "There has never been such an opportunity to speak before."

On the 17th, the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee's audit is being held at the KAIST auditorium in Daejeon. Photo by Baek Jong-min

It took about 40 minutes for all the attending institution heads to finish their remarks. After the speeches concluded, Chairperson Choi personally explained the reason for giving the speaking opportunity.

He said, "I hoped the national audit could contribute to the development of science and technology in the Republic of Korea, and with the consent of both ruling and opposition party floor leaders, we tried this for the first time." Chairperson Choi added, "Next year, I will consider a newer format."

The scientific community also welcomed the change. A GFRI official said, "It was good to see the ruling and opposition parties setting aside political factions to raise the morale of personnel in the science and technology field, which has been discouraged due to cuts in research and development budgets," highly appreciating the change.