Investigation Request and Embezzlement Recovery Measures for Embezzlement Case by Elderly Welfare Center Staff under Yangcheon-gu Mayor Lee Gijae

[Seoul District News] Embezzlement Suspicion Detected in Yangcheon-gu, Immediate Emergency Audit Confirms Embezzlement Charges; June 30 Police Investigation Request, July 1 Full Recovery of Embezzled Funds... District Mayor Orders Strong Anti-Recurrence Measures to Enhance Accounting Transparency and Monitoring System Regarding Elderly Welfare Center Embezzlement Case... Yangcheon-gu Operates Family Experience Program Using Public Indoor Playground ‘5saekkkalkalKIDS’ During Vacation Season on June 30

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Lee Gi-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, expressed his position regarding the employee embezzlement incident that occurred at the Mokdong Senior Welfare Center and ordered the establishment of stringent measures to prevent recurrence.

On June 23, Yangcheon-gu detected signs that employee A, who was in charge of accounting at the Mokdong Senior Welfare Center, had embezzled long-term care benefits paid by the National Health Insurance Service over several years, and immediately conducted an emergency audit of the accounting at the district-run entrusted facilities.

As a result, it was confirmed that A violated Article 28 of the Social Welfare Services Act by using business income improperly. On June 30, the case was referred to the Yangcheon Police Station for investigation, and on the following day, July 1, the full amount of the embezzled funds was recovered from A.

Separately from the ongoing police investigation, the district is conducting a full audit of accounting books for all entrusted welfare facilities in Yangcheon-gu. The district stated it will fully cooperate with the police investigation and do its utmost to thoroughly identify the causes, enhance accounting transparency, strengthen monitoring systems, and establish stringent measures to prevent recurrence.

Below is the full statement posted by Lee Gi-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, on Facebook.

I believe many were shocked by the news of the embezzlement incident at a welfare facility in Yangcheon-gu. It involved an accounting staff member at the Mokdong Senior Welfare Center, who embezzled 320 million KRW of public funds.

The incident was discovered during the transition period before my inauguration. Upon receiving the report, I immediately ordered the full repayment of the embezzled amount and a police investigation, taking swift and decisive action.

Since taking office, apart from the police investigation, we have been conducting a full audit of the accounting books of welfare organizations in Yangcheon-gu.

There are as many as 69 facilities managed under consignment by the Resident Welfare Bureau alone. Unlike large-scale facilities such as comprehensive welfare centers, smaller places like daycare centers often have a single staff member handling accounting for a long time, which appears to have allowed this unfortunate incident to occur.

We will not regard this incident as merely an individual's deviation but will carefully review how the welfare delivery system and accounting management in Yangcheon-gu are functioning.

We will firmly establish measures to prevent recurrence by enhancing accounting transparency and strengthening monitoring systems for welfare organizations.

Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Gi-jae) announced that on the 30th, it will operate a special family experience program at the public indoor playground ‘5 Saekkalkkal KIDS’ (photo), where families can create special memories during the summer vacation season.

Opened in October 2020, ‘5 Saekkalkkal KIDS’ is a space loved by residents as a safe place to play freely regardless of external conditions such as weather or fine dust.

The playground includes ▲play structures that aid children's physical development ▲a guardian rest area ▲a nursing room ▲and a mini caf?.

The district planned this event to provide local families with infants and toddlers, who are considering summer vacation plans amid the recent resurgence of COVID-19, a safe and enjoyable time at a nearby indoor playground.

The program targets 60 pairs of children aged 36 months and older who are not yet in school and their guardians, operating in three sessions with 20 pairs per session. Participants will experience various activities for two hours, including ▲magic shows ▲bowling games ▲sticker tattoos ▲making aqua keyrings ▲and a character photo zone.

In particular, the photo zone will be decorated with refreshing props and banners depicting a cool beach scene, allowing families using the facility to fully enjoy a summer vacation atmosphere.

Those wishing to participate in the family experience program can make an online reservation starting at 9 a.m. on the 23rd via the Yangcheon-gu Childcare Comprehensive Support Center website. The facility usage fee is 3,000 KRW for children and 2,000 KRW for guardians.

All participants must wear masks, and thorough disinfection and ventilation will be conducted after each session to provide a safe summer event free from infectious diseases.

Mayor Lee Gi-jae of Yangcheon-gu said, “We are introducing a new experience program using the public indoor playground for families with infants and toddlers looking for a safe and fun play space during the summer vacation season. We will continue to discover and promote distinctive activities for young children to support their healthy growth and help relieve parenting stress.”

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