Board of Audit and Inspection, “Use of failed weather observation equipment… concerns over decline in forecast trust”
Quick Look
- As a result of the Board of Audit and Inspection's investigation, it was revealed that key information for 7,402 of the 21,533 devices of the observation agency under the Korea Meteorological Administration was missing from the observation metadata system, and in particular, 177 devices that were judged to have failed were operating abnormally without re-inspection.
- In addition, after paying the subcontract price to the original contractor, the Seoul Metropolitan Meteorological Administration suffered a loss of about 83 million won at its own expense when the subcontract was not paid due to financial deterioration.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
In accordance with relevant laws, the Korea Meteorological Administration must supervise whether observation agencies such as central ministries and local governments properly install and operate weather observation equipment, and register key information in the Observation Metadata System (OMDS).
One-third of equipment information is missing... 177 units judged to have failed are in operation.
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Sang-hyeon = An audit showed that there are concerns about a decrease in the reliability of observation information due to the use of uncertified weather observation equipment.
The Board of Audit and Inspection released the results of the Korea Meteorological Administration’s regular audit on the 19th.
According to the Board of Audit and Inspection, the Korea Meteorological Administration must, in accordance with related laws, supervise whether observation agencies such as central ministries and local governments properly install and operate weather observation equipment, and register key information in the Observation Metadata System (OMDS).
However, as a result of confirmation, key information for 7,402 of the observation agency's 21,533 devices was missing from OMDS.
In particular, 177 vehicles were judged to have failed the test and were operated in an abnormal state without re-test, but the Korea Meteorological Administration neglected this.
In addition, among the 8,936 observation devices under the jurisdiction of related organizations, 343 were found to have expired according to the OMDS registration information, and as a result of an on-site inspection of 75 samples, the expiration date of 39 units was 4 to 1,599 days past.
Of these, 11 were being used even though they did not meet the original inspection standards.
The Board of Audit and Inspection pointed out, “There are concerns that the reliability of weather forecasts is deteriorating because inaccurate observation data is used in forecasts.”
Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Meteorological Administration has been pursuing a contract for the construction of a new government building since 2017 and has paid the price to the main contractor even though the construction is subject to direct subcontracting.
The Board of Audit and Inspection pointed out that the main contractor did not pay the subcontractor properly due to worsening financial conditions, and as a result, the Seoul Metropolitan Meteorological Administration had to pay again, resulting in a loss of about 83 million won.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Following the Board of Audit and Inspection's recommendations, the Korea Meteorological Administration will improve the observation equipment information registration and verification management system.
Likely · Within months
The issue of subcontract payment by the Seoul Metropolitan Meteorological Administration will lead to system improvement to prevent recurrence.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What type of equipment are the 177 units that were rejected, and where are they operated?
- Why did the Seoul Metropolitan Meteorological Administration's subcontract payment problem arise and what are the measures to prevent recurrence?
- Are there any specific plans to address the problem of missing observation metadata systems?
