The training center of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), which uses state-owned property under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been used as a temporary lodging facility due to low utilization rates. In particular, the Korea International Cooperation Agency used the facility for a purpose different from its original use without going through the approval procedures of the competent authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to materials submitted by Han Jeong-ae, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker on the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the National Assembly, the Korea International Cooperation Agency has, without approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, used the training center for trainees from developing countries invited to Korea as temporary accommodation for personnel returning from overseas offices and for new employees.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency training center was built with 31 billion won in taxpayer money to serve trainees from developing countries invited to Korea. Its operating costs total 2.1 billion won annually. The training center uses state-owned property, including land and buildings, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs free of charge.
As the annual room occupancy rate at the training center fell each year, the Korea International Cooperation Agency used it for purposes other than its intended use. The center's room occupancy rates were ▲33.2% in 2024 ▲31.5% in 2025 ▲41.9% in 2026, averaging 35.5% over three years. In response, the Korea International Cooperation Agency used some of the 300 rooms as temporary lodging for employees without permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Han Jeong-ae said, "Just because utilization of a training facility built with taxpayers' money is low does not mean it should be used as temporary housing for staff, contrary to its construction and operational purposes; the agency should first have sought ways to improve utilization," adding, "Going forward, the Korea International Cooperation Agency must use the state-owned property under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in line with the purpose and conditions of its free-use permit and swiftly prepare measures to raise the utilization rate."