Ministry of Employment and Labor announces AI audit partnership

The Ministry of Employment and Labor said Friday that Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency and Korea District Heating Corporation signed an agreement to develop auditing techniques using artificial intelligence and big data, aiming to strengthen their internal controls.

The agencies signed the agreement on Aug. 7 at the district heating company's headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Jeong Hye-seon, standing auditor, and Lee Se-geol, standing audit committee member at the district heating company, took part in the signing.

The ministry said the partnership is intended to combine digital technology with safety and health expertise to raise both agencies' auditing capabilities and internal-control standards. Its core work will include developing techniques that use artificial intelligence and big data, along with sharing safety and health audit methods and successful practices.

Under the accord, they will exchange information to improve auditors' professional expertise and AI capabilities, and share internal-control practices and audit materials. The agencies will also provide specialist support during audit activities and conduct cross-audits.

Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, a ministry affiliate responsible for preventing industrial accidents under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, plans to expand its use of digital audit methods. It also intends to share best policy practices and provide consulting to improve the effectiveness and quality of audit work, while seeking to retain its Grade 1 rating in the comprehensive integrity assessment achieved last year.

Jeong said, "This agreement will be a starting point for improving the audit capabilities and internal-control standards of both institutions through digital technology and occupational safety and health expertise. Through continued information exchanges and cooperation among specialists, we will create audit outcomes that help workplaces and contribute to building honest, safe workplaces."