The Ministry of Education's comprehensive financial audit revealed serious ethical breaches at some higher education institutions. At Gangneung Yeongdong University, the son of the effective controller engaged in what is termed 'self-promotion' and was found to have misappropriated educational assets. Similarly, Shingu University was found to have misused school funds to operate a vehicle designated for the president and engaged in improper contracting practices, resulting in multiple sanctions.
Gangneung Yeongdong University: Cancellations of Executive Appointments and Criminal Referral
According to the Ministry of Education's report on the 'Comprehensive Audit of Hyun Song Educational Foundation and Gangneung Yeongdong University' released on July 10, 31 violations were identified, leading to disciplinary actions against 49 individuals, including four who faced severe penalties. A financial recovery of 193.02 million won was also ordered.
The privatization of the foundation was particularly alarming. Q, a 9th-grade employee and son of the foundation's effective controller C, approved his own appointment to the position of planning director, equivalent to a 5th-grade rank, and C subsequently approved this, granting him a salary increase of 44 million won.
Additionally, C unlawfully transferred a riding school acquired in the name of the foundation to a company he controls without board approval or permission from the relevant authorities. He then arranged for the university to pay 149.9 million won in rent and usage fees to that company from school funds. It was also revealed that 29.55 billion won of compensation received from the integration of educational assets into public projects was held in the foundation's account for 23 months without being deposited into the school fund.
Other ethical breaches by unqualified staff were also uncovered. After receiving a development fund, employee D manipulated donor signatures to create a performance bonus regulation, resulting in an improper payment of 9 million won. Furthermore, an employee who was recommended for dismissal due to student harassment was quietly rehired after being let go without any disciplinary action.
The university's academic and administrative management was found to be severely lacking. In a special admissions process for international students, 376 applicants were admitted without submitting required documents such as proof of Korean language proficiency or academic records. Two assistant professors were promoted to associate professors without proper evaluations. Contracts were also awarded to ineligible companies during government-funded projects like HiVE and LINC3.0, with excessive payments made for construction costs.
The privatization of the foundation was particularly alarming. Q, a 9th-grade employee and son of the foundation's effective controller C, approved his own appointment to the position of planning director, equivalent to a 5th-grade rank, and C subsequently approved this, granting him a salary increase of 44 million won.
Additionally, C unlawfully transferred a riding school acquired in the name of the foundation to a company he controls without board approval or permission from the relevant authorities. He then arranged for the university to pay 149.9 million won in rent and usage fees to that company from school funds. It was also revealed that 29.55 billion won of compensation received from the integration of educational assets into public projects was held in the foundation's account for 23 months without being deposited into the school fund.
Other ethical breaches by unqualified staff were also uncovered. After receiving a development fund, employee D manipulated donor signatures to create a performance bonus regulation, resulting in an improper payment of 9 million won. Furthermore, an employee who was recommended for dismissal due to student harassment was quietly rehired after being let go without any disciplinary action.
The university's academic and administrative management was found to be severely lacking. In a special admissions process for international students, 376 applicants were admitted without submitting required documents such as proof of Korean language proficiency or academic records. Two assistant professors were promoted to associate professors without proper evaluations. Contracts were also awarded to ineligible companies during government-funded projects like HiVE and LINC3.0, with excessive payments made for construction costs.
Shingu University: School Funds Misused for President's Vehicle and Favoritism in Contracts
The same day, the 'Financial Audit Results of Shingu Educational Foundation and Shingu University' revealed nine instances of misconduct, resulting in warnings and cautions for 13 individuals. A financial recovery of 6.32 million won was also mandated.
Shingu University was found to have used two vehicles purchased with school funds as the president's personal cars, with maintenance costs, including fuel and insurance totaling 10.63 million won, also drawn from the school budget.
The management and accounting of the foundation's profit-making enterprises were also scrutinized. The university awarded contracts worth a total of 290 million won to a profit-making entity under the foundation without following bidding procedures, despite the items exceeding 20 million won. This entity, which operates a campus café, also paid 28 million won in wages to its employees without clear payment standards.
Additionally, wasteful budget execution was identified. During five overseas trips for benchmarking a botanical garden, local vehicle rentals were paid in full without any deductions for daily allowances, totaling 2.39 million won. Furthermore, when hiring new staff, specific employees were given salary adjustments based on past contract work without objective criteria, undermining fairness in personnel and accounting operations.
Shingu University was found to have used two vehicles purchased with school funds as the president's personal cars, with maintenance costs, including fuel and insurance totaling 10.63 million won, also drawn from the school budget.
The management and accounting of the foundation's profit-making enterprises were also scrutinized. The university awarded contracts worth a total of 290 million won to a profit-making entity under the foundation without following bidding procedures, despite the items exceeding 20 million won. This entity, which operates a campus café, also paid 28 million won in wages to its employees without clear payment standards.
Additionally, wasteful budget execution was identified. During five overseas trips for benchmarking a botanical garden, local vehicle rentals were paid in full without any deductions for daily allowances, totaling 2.39 million won. Furthermore, when hiring new staff, specific employees were given salary adjustments based on past contract work without objective criteria, undermining fairness in personnel and accounting operations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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