Termination of USAID/Korea mission activities

Audit report is based on file review, site visits, and discussions with project staff; timeframe is not specified. With minor exceptions, the 4 terminated projects have met their goals. In the Small/Medium Irrigation Project (0706), 56 irrigation systems were constructed; evaluation of 11 of the systems showed that rates of return were higher than expected. After initial delay in the Chong Gye Chum Sewage Treatment Plan Project (0657), a treatment plant and interceptor sewers were constructed; these have favorably affected water quality in the Han River. In the Elementary/Middle School Pilot Project (0696), a new education system was developed. Plans to construct a television transmission system were abandoned, but facilities of the Korean Broadcasting System are being used instead. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science project (0689) has helped develop a highly qualified scientific and engineering work force to meet Korea"s economic development needs. Ongoing projects are near completion and on target. Increasing crop yields indicate that the Agricultural Research Project (0705) is successful; 14 Ph.D. and 4 M.S. candidates are studying in the U.S., but only 7 will complete their studies by the terminal disbursement date. Under the Seoul National University Project (0709), the caliber of faculty and students has been upgraded and laboratory equipment procured. The Korea Standards Research Institute Project (0711) has also met its objectives, while the Health Demonstration Project is over 85% complete; due to the latter"s late start, however, A.I.D. will only contribute to Phase I of building construction. In terminating USAID/K"s operations, certain concerns must be addressed: AID-State Department agreement as to the disposition of A.I.D. property; formalization of liasion activities for U.S. Embassy personnel; trust funds for two Korean employees who will be retained after closure; plans for completing 16 PES"s; programming of generated counterpart funds; and appointment of a financial officer to be present at the actual closure of USAID/K to ensure prompt handling of deobligations and proper completion of all transactions. Other recommendations address particular activities not yet completed under the ongoing projects.