Trump Scotland Resort Secures 5.3 Billion KRW in UK Lockdown Support Funds

Significant Amount Received During President Sangdang-aek's Term... Controversy Over Constitutional Violation

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] It has been revealed that golf resorts in Scotland owned by former U.S. President Donald Trump received at least ?3.3 million (approximately 5.3 billion KRW) in COVID-19 relief funds from the UK government.

On the 27th (local time), the British daily The Guardian reported, "Trump Turnberry Resort located in Turnberry, western Scotland, and Trump International Scotland located in Balmoral, northern Scotland, each cut 273 jobs last year but received ?2.8 million (approximately 4.5 billion KRW) in job retention support funds."

According to a BBC report, these resorts are estimated to have received between ?520,000 and ?1.3 million (approximately 840 million KRW to 2.1 billion KRW) in support funds this year as well. Combining last year and this year, the total amount of support funds received from the UK government ranges from ?3.3 million to ?4.1 million (approximately 5.3 billion to 6.5 billion KRW).

The issue is that a significant portion of the support funds received by former President Trump's resorts from the UK government were paid before his resignation. The U.S. Constitution prohibits elected officials from accepting gifts or benefits from foreign governments without congressional approval. The Guardian pointed out, "There could be controversy over violating guidelines under the 'Emoluments Clause,' an anti-corruption provision stipulated by the U.S. Constitution."

Both resorts had to close during the full lockdown period due to COVID-19. As a result, Turnberry Resort, which earned ?321,000 (approximately 510 million KRW) in revenue in 2019, suffered a loss of ?3.4 million (approximately 5.4 billion KRW) last year, while Balmoral Resort's losses increased from ?1.1 million (approximately 1.75 billion KRW) in 2019 to ?1.3 million (approximately 2.1 billion KRW) last year.

The average number of employees also decreased, with Turnberry Resort dropping from 541 in 2019 to 289 last year, and Balmoral Resort declining from 84 to 63 during the same period.

The Guardian explained, "In the U.S., Congress passed legislation prohibiting COVID-19 relief funds from being paid to companies in which former President Trump holds shares. However, under UK law, former President Trump's Scottish resorts are entitled to receive government support funds on the same basis as other businesses."

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