The Korea Institute of Advancement of Technology (KIAT) is taking proactive measures to prevent corruption and conflicts of interest in project management and budget execution through employee participation in integrity activities.
On August 24, KIAT announced the launch of its '2026 Anti-Corruption and Integrity Week,' which will run until September 9, alongside a ceremony to commemorate 'Anti-Corruption and Integrity Day.'
This year's integrity week is themed 'Transparent, Clear, and Confident Integrity!' KIAT aims to establish integrity as a fundamental organizational value and a working principle that all employees must practice in their daily tasks, beyond mere compliance with rules and regulations.
According to the public institution management information disclosure system (Alio), KIAT's major project budget for this year is approximately 1.9958 trillion won. This includes 980.8 billion won for workforce development and infrastructure, 337.8 billion won for international technology cooperation, 315.2 billion won for support of materials and components industries, and 157.8 billion won for technology transfer and commercialization.
With an annual budget of around 2 trillion won for industrial technology support projects, KIAT selects and manages tasks for businesses, universities, and research institutions, making the prevention of conflicts of interest and the fairness of budget execution critical to the agency's credibility.
During Integrity Week, various participatory programs will be held, including an employee integrity pledge ceremony, integrity training, an integrity quiz, and an integrity contest. The goal is to enhance employees' interest and commitment to fostering a culture of integrity in their daily work.
Considering its role as a specialized agency implementing industrial technology policies, KIAT will also strengthen its preventive integrity management system. This includes preemptively checking for potential corruption and conflicts of interest that may arise during project execution and enhancing transparency in project management and budget execution.
KIAT President Jeon Yoon-jong stated, "Integrity is not something to be practiced only on special days; it is the most fundamental principle that must be upheld in our daily work. We will create an organization that works transparently, clearly, and confidently, fostering mutual trust and earning the trust of the public."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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