Board of Audit and Inspection: "Haman-gun Improperly Paid Income Support to Residents Near Cremation Facility"

Inspection of Local Government Project Fund Execution... Ulsan City Falsely Grants Subsidies for North Korean Soybean Oil Support Project

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] A Board of Audit and Inspection investigation revealed that Haman County in Gyeongnam improperly paid resident income support funds to residents living near a cremation facility.

On the 18th, the Board of Audit and Inspection announced the results of its audit on the execution of local government project funds. According to the Board, since 2013, Haman County has been operating a welfare promotion fund for the area where the cremation facility is installed and paid resident income support funds to residents near Haman Sky Park who purchased vehicles, etc.

It was investigated that two residents who did not purchase vehicles submitted falsified ‘Vehicle Transfer Certificates’ created through used car dealers and applied for support funds of 18.75 million won each.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Board of Audit and Inspection pointed out, "Haman County improperly paid 37.5 million won (18.75 million won each) without properly reviewing and examining the support fund claims," adding, "The Vehicle Transfer Certificates lacked both the transferee’s and transferor’s seals or had incorrectly written names, making it possible to verify the falsification."

The Board notified the Haman County Governor to return the income support funds of 18.75 million won each and urged thorough management of the income support fund payment tasks.

Meanwhile, Ulsan Metropolitan City was pointed out for issues in the execution of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Fund. In January 2019, Ulsan City selected the corporation ○○ as a sub-recipient for the North Korean soybean oil support project. The corporation ○○ submitted a proposal to Ulsan City in December 2018 requesting a subsidy of 100 million won for the North Korean soybean oil support project. The soybean oil was delivered to North Korea in December 2018, and a report on the export results was submitted to the Ministry of Unification in January 2019.

The Board of Audit and Inspection stated, "Although Ulsan City confirmed from the Ministry of Unification that the soybean oil delivery was completed, it decided to grant the subsidy (100 million won) to the corporation ○○ in January 2019, citing reasons such as the decision by the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Committee to support the project."

The Board pointed out, "The corporation ○○ submitted a grant application in February 2019 stating that the project payment, which had already been completed in January 2019, was scheduled for payment in February, and received a subsidy of 100 million won in February 2019, which was used for operating expenses such as repaying internal loans."

The Board ordered the Ulsan Mayor to have the corporation ○○ return the 100 million won local subsidy. Furthermore, it requested caution to prevent cases where already completed projects are submitted as agenda items to the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Committee, selected as subsidized projects, and then granted subsidies.

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