Office for Government Policy Coordination launches on-site investigation into alleged ghost office related to 'Gwanpyeongwon special attack'

Sejong City Customs Valuation Classification Office building exterior. 2021.5.18 [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] The Korea Customs Service's Customs Valuation and Classification Institute (KCCI) came under suspicion of building a "ghost building" at the cost of 17.1 billion won of taxpayers' money, aiming to secure apartments through special supply for Sejong City public officials. In response, the Office for Government Policy Coordination launched its first on-site investigation on the 20th.

According to government officials on the day, the Office for Government Policy Coordination sent staff to the Korea Customs Service to secure materials related to the construction of the KCCI building.

Although KCCI was not originally scheduled to move to Sejong, it pushed for the construction of a Sejong office building in 2017. It is known that its employees obtained apartment pre-sale rights in Sejong City through the special supply for public officials, causing a scandal. The KCCI Sejong building, completed in May last year, has remained vacant for a year. The taxpayers' money spent on building the so-called "ghost building" amounts to 17.1 billion won, raising concerns that the budget authorities, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which allocated the budget at the time, cannot evade responsibility.

Regarding this, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum instructed on the 18th, "Conduct a strict investigation centered on the Office for Government Policy Coordination's Sejong Special Self-Governing City Support Team and the Public Service Management Office, and if any illegalities are confirmed, take necessary measures such as requesting an investigation," adding, "Also conduct a legal review on the possibility of confirming illegalities and canceling the special supply of apartments."

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