[2020 National Audit] 130 North Korean Defectors Receiving Tuition Support Despite Zero Scores

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] It has been revealed that North Korean defectors who scored zero or did not submit their grades, thus having unverified academic records, still received private university education support funds.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Unification to Lee Tae-gyu, a member of the People's Party, on the 8th, 130 North Korean defectors who had a zero score in the previous semester received private university education support funds from 2014 to 2018. The total amount was 151.4 million KRW.

During the same period, 101 defectors did not submit their grade reports, so their grades were unverified, yet they received a total of 96.32 million KRW in support funds. In total, 231 defectors received 247.72 million KRW.

Additionally, according to a special audit conducted by the Board of Audit and Inspection in March this year, some students (5 people) who either did not attend classes or took a leave of absence or withdrew during the semester?circumstances warranting the return of tuition fees?were not required by the North Korean Refugees Foundation to return the education support funds to the respective private educational institutions by the time of the audit.

Rep. Lee demanded, "Education support for North Korean defectors is an indispensable aid for them to become self-reliant members of South Korean society, yet basic post-management has not been conducted at all and it has been operated as a routine practice. Therefore, measures from the Ministry of Unification are necessary."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.