In a meeting of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee, allegations surfaced that the permanent auditor of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and the auditor of the Institute of Information and Communications Technology Planning and Evaluation (IITP) conducted what amounted to a 'surveillance-type audit'. Given that the permanent auditor is known to be a former prosecutor investigator closely associated with former President Yoon Suk-yeol, a ripple effect is expected.
During the committee meeting held on the 20th, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Hwang Jung-ah noted, "The permanent auditor of the National Research Foundation of Korea used their audit authority to continuously access personnel information of IITP employees, which is effectively close to surveillance."
The IITP is an institution established under the National Research Foundation of Korea to support research and development (R&D) in the field of information and communication technology (ICT), and the permanent auditor of the National Research Foundation of Korea also serves as the auditor for IITP.
According to Hwang, the National Research Foundation of Korea's permanent auditor and the IITP audit office reportedly monitored detailed personal information of individual employees, such as parental leave, salaries, flexible working arrangements, wage peak systems, and telework status, without any audit plans or audit team formations.
Hwang stated, "The National Assembly's assertion of rights for government audits is no different from saying it will constantly monitor the commuting records and vacation history of all employees, including the Minister, and similar principles should apply to public institution audits, which must minimize invasions of privacy and be carried out within a necessary scope."
She further claimed, "When the IITP system manager withdrew some access rights due to concerns over personal data breaches, the permanent auditor linked it to 'obstruction of the audit' and proposed severe disciplinary action, which is a form of retaliation."
In response, Bae Kyung-hun, Minister of Science and ICT, stated, "Continuous access to personnel information is excessive and poses a risk of legal violations, and we will verify the facts and prepare necessary measures."
After the committee meeting, the IITP stated, "It is true that the permanent auditor has been granted the authority to continuously access personnel information of IITP employees, and there was also a notification of disciplinary action against the IITP officials after the withdrawal of access rights, but we are currently requesting a reconsideration of the disciplinary action."
A Ministry of Science and ICT official mentioned, "Some facts have been confirmed, but further verification is needed regarding allegations of continuous access," adding, "We are considering whether to conduct an investigation."
Lawmaker Hwang Jung-ah told ChosunBiz, "The Minister said he would take responsible follow-up actions, so we will be watching to see how that unfolds," adding, "If it's a follow-up measure, it could be seen as disciplinary action, and we expect to receive reports on whether it was executed and what actions were taken following the audit."
We attempted to hear the opinion of the permanent auditor of the National Research Foundation of Korea regarding the allegations, but we could not get in touch.