A scandal has surfaced involving the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KIT), a government-authorized testing agency, where fraudulent test reports on hydrogen charging hoses were issued, compromising safety standards.
This misconduct, uncovered by a government audit and brought to light by Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Min-hee, spans 14 cases of falsification between January 2020 and December 2022.
The audit found that in most instances, the tests, crucial for verifying the durability of hoses used in hydrogen fuel stations, were not conducted despite claims to the contrary. These hoses, which are critical in delivering high-pressure hydrogen at extreme temperatures, must meet rigorous safety standards to prevent catastrophic failures. However, the audit revealed that test reports were manipulated to meet the specifications requested by the companies involved, without actual testing.
For example, tests such as the tensile strength and hydraulic rupture, which determine the hose’s ability to withstand pressures much higher than atmospheric conditions, were reportedly fabricated. The falsified reports falsely certified that the hoses met all required conditions, which could lead to severe safety hazards.
The audit also highlighted another instance where a senior technician at the Saenggi Research Institute, part of KIT, manipulated the operating time of an agricultural pest control robot to show it had passed tests it had actually failed. To facilitate this fraud, the technical manager tasked with verifying test validity was deliberately chosen from among lower-ranking staff, who lacked the authority and technical skill to challenge these dishonest practices.
This deceit not only undermines the integrity of governmental research projects but also poses significant safety risks. The implicated projects include a national initiative for local production of hydrogen station parts and a government project evaluating smart plant farms, both of which relied on these corrupted test reports.
Despite the gravity of these offenses, the disciplinary actions taken have been criticized as insufficient. Technical manager Mr. A received only a two-month suspension, and another accomplice resigned without facing any consequences. This lenient handling has sparked calls for stricter oversight and accountability within national research institutions to prevent such abuses in the future and to safeguard public and environmental safety.
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