[2020 National Audit] Busan Port Authority Illegally Paid Over 600 Million in Compensation Without Taking Responsibility

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Despite the fact that the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' audit revealed that Busan Port Authority illegally compensated land owned by specific individuals, no action was taken due to the statute of limitations on disciplinary measures, drawing criticism for being too passive in the audit.

According to data received by Democratic Party lawmaker Inho Choi from Busan Port Authority on the 20th, the authority illegally compensated 10 forest land parcels outside the project area, which were not subject to compensation under the Land Compensation Act in 2014, and paid 640 million KRW to six specific owners.

Regarding the 7th phase development project of Busan New Port, Busan Port Authority conducted the first compensation in 2011 for 57 land parcels outside the project area, excluding forest land not subject to compensation under relevant laws. Furthermore, in 2012, when some owners requested compensation for forest land outside the project area, the authority clearly responded that forest land was not subject to compensation.

However, in 2013, during the land compensation negotiation process in Yeondodong, Changwon City, where complaints were severe, the relocation countermeasure committee requested compensation for forest land outside the project area, prompting the authority to commission a related service.

In February 2014, when the service result indicated that forest land compensation was possible, only six specific owners were verbally notified and paid compensation amounting to 640 million KRW.

Although Busan Port Authority was pointed out for such illegal acts during the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries audit in January 2018, no action was taken against the related parties due to the expiration of the disciplinary statute of limitations (3 years).

Lawmaker Choi stated, "In the past three years, no one has been disciplined in Busan Port Authority's internal audits, and this case was revealed through an external tip-off leading to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries audit," and criticized, "Isn't Busan Port Authority too passive in audits?"

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