Gyeongbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation Earns Top Grades in Institution and Head Evaluations

【Financial News Daegu-Andong = Reporter Kim Jang-wook】The Gyeongbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation achieved the distinction of receiving the highest grade in evaluations of both the institution and its head.
Gyeongsangbuk-do awarded the highest grade, S, in its 2026 management performance evaluations of public institutions and their heads, based on their performance in 2025.
According to the provincial government, the Gyeongbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation and Gyeongbuk Women’s Policy Development Institute received the highest grade in the institutional evaluation. The chair of the Gyeongbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation and the president of the Gyeongbuk Research Institute earned the same grade in the evaluation of institutional heads.
Governor Lee Cheol-woo emphasized, "Public institutions play an important role in listening to residents’ voices in the field, reflecting them in policies and services, and changing people’s lives. We will support them in strengthening their capabilities through management evaluations, leading change and innovation, and establishing themselves as institutions trusted by residents."
The Gyeongbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation strengthened cooperation with related organizations and achieved its largest-ever volume of guarantee provision. It received the highest grade in the institutional evaluation in recognition of its role as a financial safety net for local small business owners and small and medium-sized enterprises. It also received a 2026 Presidential Citation for Contributions to the Development of Local Public Institutions for its contributions to revitalizing the regional economy and stabilizing the livelihoods-based economy.
The Gyeongbuk Women’s Policy Development Institute identified new projects linked to key provincial priorities, including child policy, efforts to overcome the low birth rate, and support for work-life balance. It received the highest grade in recognition of its success in expanding these projects into package-based programs and broadening women- and family-friendly employment environments.
The Gyeongbuk Research Institute, Gyeongbuk Agricultural and Food Distribution Education Promotion Institute, and Gyeongbuk Technopark were selected for the A+ grade in the institutional evaluation.
The evaluation covered 18 public institutions. A management evaluation panel composed of private-sector experts reviewed them through written and on-site assessments from February to August. This year, the evaluation system was revised to strengthen indicators measuring innovation efforts, including public institution innovation initiatives, and to reflect alignment with provincial policies and residents’ perceived impact.
Meanwhile, based on the evaluation results, the provincial government will provide the highest-rated institutions with discretionary project funds for the following year to expand their operational autonomy. Underperforming institutions, by contrast, will face financial penalties on operating expenses, including ordinary administrative costs.
Institutional heads will receive different amounts of performance-based and base salaries depending on their evaluation grades. The results will also be reflected in reviews for reappointment, while heads of institutions rated B or lower will be required to undergo reappointment reviews and evaluations to strengthen management accountability.

[email protected] Kim Jang-wook Reporter