Rural Development Corporation's '9 Trillion Debt' Includes 137 Apartments Worth 30.7 Billion Won

Maintaining Official Residence Six Years After Relocation Is Inappropriate

Contrasting with Government Halting Sejong-Seoul Commuter Bus for Sejong Settlement

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] According to data submitted by the Korea Rural Community Corporation to National Assembly member Yoon Jae-gap (Democratic Party, Haenam·Wando·Jindo) of the Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, and Maritime Affairs Committee, the corporation has purchased (including 26 leases) a total of 137 apartments in Naju, Jeollanam-do, for dormitory purposes.

To create a balanced Korea where both the metropolitan area and local regions prosper evenly, the government relocated 110 public institutions to non-metropolitan areas, and accordingly, the Korea Rural Community Corporation completed its relocation to Naju Innovation City, Jeollanam-do, in 2014.

However, to accommodate employees reluctant to move from their existing residences in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do to Naju, the corporation purchased as many as 137 apartments (including 26 leases) in Bitgaram-dong, adjacent to the Korea Rural Community Corporation, assigning three employees per unit and effectively operating them as weekday dormitories.

Meanwhile, under the pretext of improving employee welfare and stabilizing their living conditions, the Korea Rural Community Corporation amended its internal welfare regulations in 2017 and 2019 to legalize the provision of ‘employee housing’ through a loophole.

While some public institutions relocated to local areas lease apartments to provide housing for employees for convenience, purchasing over 100 apartments as the Korea Rural Community Corporation did is an extremely unusual case.

The corporation’s large-scale dormitory operation contrasts with the decision to halt commuter bus services starting in 2022, which was criticized as an excessive privilege that hinders public officials’ settlement in Sejong City and urban revitalization, given that commuter buses run between Sejong and Seoul metropolitan areas.

National Assembly member Yoon Jae-gap stated, “The government’s purpose in promoting the relocation of public institutions is balanced national development through revitalization of local hub areas,” and pointed out, “The Korea Rural Community Corporation’s large-scale dormitory operation is an act that goes against the purpose of local relocation and requires urgent improvement.”

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