Free Usage Period Shortened from Five to Three Years
"Paid Lease if No Results" Condition Imposed
Urgent Need for Korea Silk Research Institute to Develop Self-Rescue Measures
The Jinju City Council in South Gyeongsang Province conditionally approved a revised version of the "Consent for Free Use of the Jinju Silk Industry Innovation Center" during a preliminary review on the 26th, forwarding it to the plenary session. The main points include shortening the usage period and reconsidering the free lease based on performance.
On this day, the City Council's Economic and Welfare Committee discussed the consent agenda, which had already been rejected once in September.
During the 268th extraordinary session, it was revealed that the Korea Silk Research Institute had been using the Silk Industry Innovation Center-classified as public property-free of charge since 2017 without obtaining the required consent from the local council under the "Public Property and Goods Management Act." This situation led to the initial rejection.
The Jinju City Corporate Trade Division, in addition to supplementing the agenda, argued that free leasing was inevitable considering the institute's poor financial situation. However, while the committee acknowledged the institute's role in developing the silk industry, it also pointed out further issues such as insufficient external funding and concerns over poor management.
Ultimately, after discussion, the committee approved the consent agenda with amendments, reducing the free usage period from the originally proposed five years to three years, and attaching a condition to reconsider the use of public property-including a potential transition to paid leasing-based on performance evaluation.
Yoon Sungkwan, a Jinju City Council member, stated, "As the institute is using public property free of charge, responsible management and tangible results are essential," emphasizing that the institute must demonstrate real achievements in expanding support for silk businesses, strengthening research and development, and securing public project funding.
The Korea Silk Research Institute is currently also entrusted with the operation and management of the facilities and equipment at the Silk Industry Innovation Center. The entrustment period runs until April 2026.
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