Yeosu-si, Controversy Over Business Promotion Expenses

Most expenses at restaurants are for business promotion or full-time staff encouragement meals

Comparison of 3 months' business promotion expenses in nearby Suncheon City... Over 20 million KRW spent more

I captured the expenditure details for September, disclosed on the Yeosu City website, regarding the Yeosu mayor's business promotion expenses.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, which has made the lives and economy of ordinary citizens difficult, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Yeosu are spending more than 10 million won per month on average for business promotion expenses while having group meals, but there are criticisms that the detailed breakdown of expenses is insufficiently disclosed.

According to Yeosu City on the 31st, the business promotion expenses of Mayor Kwon Oh-bong of Yeosu, who recently lost the top population rank in Jeonnam to Suncheon City, for three months (September to November) amounted to 42,678,950 won.

During the same period, the Deputy Mayor's business promotion expenses were 27,676,000 won, making a total of 70,351,950 won when combined with the Mayor's expenses.

The business promotion expenses of Suncheon Mayor Heo Seok for three months (September to November) were 32,142,000 won, and the Deputy Mayor's expenses were 17,245,000 won, totaling 49,382,500 won.

Compared to Suncheon City, Mayor Kwon Oh-bong of Yeosu used 10.5 million won more, and the Deputy Mayor of Yeosu used 10.43 million won more in business promotion expenses.

Simply comparing the business promotion expenses of the heads and deputy heads of local governments in Yeosu and Suncheon shows a difference of 20.93 million won over three months.

Meanwhile, business promotion expenses are costs for local government heads to operate institutions and promote policies, and should not be simply compared by numbers alone.

Although business promotion expenses are disclosed on each local government's website, there are significant differences in the form of disclosure and detailed items.

Most of the business promotion expenses disclosed by Yeosu City for Mayor Kwon Oh-bong were spent on meetings, briefings, events for business promotion, and encouragement and support for full-time staff, with most expenses incurred twice daily for meals encouraging business promotion stakeholders or current affairs.

The business promotion expenses disclosed by Suncheon City for Mayor Heo Seok were spent for various purposes and included various encouragement payments in addition to meal expenses.

It can be seen that the purpose of use is recorded differently from Yeosu City in the details of Mayor Heo Seok's business promotion expenses disclosed on Suncheon City's website.

Since business promotion expenses are disclosed on the premise of integrity, there are calls for more thorough disclosure of detailed breakdowns.

Regarding the use of business promotion expenses by Mayor Kwon Oh-bong of Yeosu, a local media outlet has consistently pointed out "problems" since last year, but Yeosu City has remained unresponsive.

In response to such criticism, citizen A said, "Instead of vaguely disclosing and causing suspicion, the clear purpose of use should be disclosed," and added, "Authorities should listen to these citizens' criticisms."

A Yeosu City official said, "Because the disclosure has been broad, there may be room for misunderstanding," and added, "Starting next year, we will consult with related departments to disclose in a manner similar to neighboring local governments."

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