Lee Tae-sik, chairman of the Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST), which is a representative organization in the science and technology sector, has been found to have misused public funds for personal use and taken various interests using his position, as revealed in an audit by the Ministry of Science and ICT. Allegations have surfaced that he effectively operated KOFST as a 'private organization,' including misappropriation of operational expenses and overseas travel costs, as well as workplace bullying and preferential treatment for close associates.
According to the comprehensive audit results disclosed by the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 11th, Lee expended over 2.6 million won of operational expenses for personal use on holidays and during late-night hours, and also used the funds at hospitals and pharmacies. He purchased two laptops and one mobile phone, and there was also a case where approximately 2 million won in expenses was prepaid at a hotel.
Additionally, it was revealed that during the 2023 Korea-Europe Science and Technology Conference (EKC) and last year's Korea-U.S. Scientists Conference (UKC), he returned later than the official return date by attaching personal schedules, yet received per diem and meal allowances up until that time. Extra airfare was also incurred for some schedules. KOFST has not held a review committee for overseas trips since 2019, effectively neglecting internal regulations regarding the misappropriation of travel funds.
KOFST was criticized during the 2016 National Assembly inspection for paying 'excessive office expenses' to an unpaid chairman, yet it was found that an office expense of 4 million won per month continued to be paid. Lee added an additional 2 million won to the office expenses since last year through internal approval, and he increased the operational expenses for himself and the secretary-general by 23.8% without any explanation.
Lee's workplace bullying was also uncovered in the audit. During a dinner with three individuals who were scheduled to be appointed in 2023, he reprimanded one who temporarily left their seat and forced them to drink a highball in one shot. He then instructed that they be appointed to general positions instead of the planned ones, effectively carrying out retaliatory personnel measures.
Lee arranged for a research service contract worth approximately 19 million won with a company that he founded and where his child is the largest shareholder, allowing his child to participate as a research staff member and receive labor costs, while failing to disclose this information to KOFST. Many instances of prioritizing personal connections in appointments were also discovered, such as appointing a retired professor from the same university and department as the director of the KOFST research institute and paying a consulting fee of 2.5 million won.
The Ministry of Science and ICT recommended disciplinary action against Lee and the secretary-general. A KOFST official stated, 'We are currently forming internal and external committees to discuss the level of disciplinary action to be taken.'