Hampyeong-gun Initiates Special Audit on ‘Hampyeong Cultural Center’ Amid Plagiarism Allegations

Intensive Inspection of Local Subsidy Execution and Settlement Records Over the Past 3 Years

[Hampyeong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Regarding the Hampyeong Folktale Collection, which has recently been embroiled in plagiarism allegations, Hampyeong County will commence a special audit from the 16th to the 27th to review the overall execution of local subsidies managed by the Hampyeong Cultural Center.

This audit aims to clarify the various suspicions currently raised and enhance the public's trust in county administration, following an increase in petitions requesting an audit related to subsidy payments to the Hampyeong Cultural Center and negative media reports.

On the 12th, Hampyeong County in Jeollanam-do announced that it will focus its audit on the execution, settlement, and the appropriateness of guidance and supervision by related departments concerning local subsidies related to the Hampyeong Cultural Center over the past three years from 2018 to 2020.

According to the county, in June, a petition was filed against the head of the Hampyeong Cultural Center regarding ▲plagiarism of the Hampyeong Folktale Collection and ▲the appropriateness of the execution of local subsidies by the Hampyeong Cultural Center.

In response, a special audit team was formed to conduct a written audit targeting the Culture, Tourism, and Sports Department, which manages and supervises the local subsidies for the Hampyeong Cultural Center, to inspect the overall status of subsidy execution and management.

In particular, the audit will focus on the appropriateness of subsidy execution and accounting processing, the settlement process including the return of remaining balances (including interest), the use of local subsidies for purposes other than the subsidized projects, and the appropriateness of management, guidance, and supervision of local subsidy projects.

Regarding the plagiarism allegations in the petition, following the initiation of an investigation by the Hampyeong Police Station in July, the county audit has been suspended until the investigative agency issues an official conclusion to unify the investigation process.

Depending on the results of this special audit and the investigation, if any illegalities are confirmed, the county plans to take strong administrative measures such as full recovery of the subsidies.

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