Gyeongnam Province, Gyeongnam FC Subsidy Execution 'Messy'... 9 Cases Pointed Out

Disciplinary Action and Criminal Investigation Request for Dispatched Employees and Related Parties

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gyeongsangnam-do announced on the 30th that nine cases of impropriety were identified in the subsidy expenditure practices of the Gyeongnam Citizen Professional Football Club (Gyeongnam FC).

The Gyeongsangnam-do Audit Committee conducted a special audit from November 21 to December 2 last year to inspect the subsidy expenditure status of Gyeongnam FC, which receives approximately 10 billion KRW annually in provincial funds.

The Audit Committee focused on the subsidy expenditure details for Gyeongnam FC’s operating expenses, examining ▲appropriateness of organization and personnel management ▲appropriateness of player recruitment (transfer) contracts and brokerage fee expenditures ▲appropriateness of various contract signings such as overseas training camps ▲appropriateness of various subsidy expenditures including travel expenses and overtime allowances.

Bae Jong-gwul, Chairman of the Gyeongnam Provincial Audit Committee, is announcing the audit results on the subsidy expenditure behavior of Gyeongnam FC.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

According to the Audit Committee, the audit revealed ▲improper substitution of subsidy payments ▲improper payment of travel expenses ▲failure to recover advance payments to foreign players ▲private use of official vehicles and operation without dispatch application or approval ▲improper payment of overtime allowances ▲inappropriate handling of overseas training contract tasks ▲neglect after introduction of electronic approval system ▲split private contracts such as vehicle rental services ▲failure to follow inspection procedures for medical supplies and other goods.

The Audit Committee notified the Sports Support Division of the audit results, requesting disciplinary actions against Gyeongnam FC personnel according to internal regulations and investigation of criminal charges.

The improperly spent subsidy amount of 29,008,000 KRW by Gyeongnam FC will be recovered, and 528,700,000 KRW, which is difficult to correct directly due to reasons such as Gyeongnam FC’s self-funded expenditures, was instructed to prepare a self-recovery plan.

The Sports Support Division, which lacked proper supervision and guidance, received a caution, and two employees dispatched to work at Gyeongnam FC were disciplined.

Six public officials, including those responsible for inadequate supervision, were also subject to personnel measures such as reprimands.

Audit Committee Chairman Bae Jong-gweol said, “Since Gyeongnam FC is a club of the province’s citizens, we will continue to work closely with the relevant departments to ensure subsidies are not wasted,” adding, “I hope this audit serves as an opportunity to improve Gyeongnam FC’s operations and that the club will be reborn as a team that gives hope to the citizens through transparent management and promotion to the first division league.”

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