Lee Tae-sik, the president of the Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST), allegedly expressed his intention to resign. However, he refuted related reports, stating, "I have never expressed a desire to resign." KOFST is currently reviewing matters related to the president's resignation.
According to the science and technology sector on the 18th, the president reportedly conveyed his intention to resign at a meeting with KOFST advisors and honorary chairpersons the previous day. He has also allegedly expressed this position to key officials within KOFST.
However, the president noted that problems could arise if the resignation became known to the public. He requested staff to sign a non-disclosure agreement to keep the matter confidential, and some officials reportedly complied.
Earlier, the Ministry of Science and ICT revealed that the president misused operational funds and overseas travel expenses for personal purposes, forced alcohol consumption at gatherings, and dismissed subordinates for such reasons, among other violations. Despite being a non-executive officer, he unfairly pocketed office expenses and directed contracts to companies where his children are majority shareholders, as well as offered discounts on meeting room fees to acquaintances, among other personal gains confirmed in the audit.
As a result, demands for the president's resignation are mounting both inside and outside KOFST. The Public Science and Technology Research Union issued a statement on the 15th, stating, "If the Ministry of Science and ICT and the board of directors do not immediately suspend the president's authority and swiftly dismiss him, we will initiate a strong campaign for his resignation, including legal actions."
Some officials of KOFST also released a statement under the name "Officials wishing for the normalization of KOFST" on the 17th, requesting the president's resignation, stating, "The president has individually summoned some officials directly involved to demand counter-evidence and confirmation documents regarding the audit results and to prepare contradictory reports."
On the 18th, the president sent a text message to reporters stating, "I have not expressed my resignation. There were no declarations of withdrawal from the officials." Subsequently, KOFST clarified that "we are currently reviewing the president's resignation internally, and KOFST officials have not officially released a statement," adding, "We will formally announce the president's resignation after thorough consideration."