[Incheon City Audit] Many Jeonse Fraud Victims but Poor Support... "Need for Victim Support Ordinance"

At the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's inspection of Incheon City on the 19th, criticism arose that support for victims was inadequate in Incheon, where the most cases of jeonse fraud occurred, along with calls for the enactment of a support ordinance by Incheon City.

Yong Hye-in, a lawmaker from the Basic Income Party, said, "Incheon has a concentrated number of jeonse fraud victims, so the support targets should be greatly expanded," adding, "To expand the scope and targets of support, it is essential for Incheon to enact its own ordinance like Gyeonggi Province."

According to Lawmaker Yong, the budget executed by Incheon City for supporting victims of jeonse fraud from June to the 4th of this month totaled 630 million KRW, of which only 55.56 million KRW (0.88%) was spent. This includes 52.23 million KRW for moving expenses for residents of emergency support housing, 2.93 million KRW for interest support on low-interest jeonse loans, and 400,000 KRW for monthly rent support. The number of budget applications was only 65, which is just 4.2% of the 1,540 households recognized as victims of jeonse fraud in Incheon.

Lawmaker Yong pointed out, "If the budget is temporarily allocated without an ordinance, there is a possibility that the amount will be reduced or disappear entirely when new budgets are allocated after this year's project ends," adding, "The management status of jeonse fraud housing where victims reside is also in disarray, but if an ordinance is enacted, it might be possible to provide management fee support and other solutions."

He also said, "If Incheon City enacts its own ordinance, it can set separate income criteria for supporting jeonse fraud victims in consultation with the treasury bank, allowing more victims to benefit," and added, "Since jeonse fraud is not an issue that will end this year, I ask for the mayor's opinion."

On the 19th, at the 2023 National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's Incheon City government audit held at Incheon City Hall, Mayor Yoo Jung-bok of Incheon City is responding to questions from the committee members.
[Photo by Incheon City]

Democratic Party lawmaker Kwon In-sook also pointed out the same issue, criticizing, "I thought Incheon City had formed a separate dedicated team for supporting jeonse fraud victims, but there are only eight members," and said, "Seoul and Gyeonggi Province have proposed ordinances to protect jeonse victims, but Incheon has no such movement, making it difficult to even know if such tragic damage occurred."

In response, Mayor Yoo said, "The support project for jeonse fraud victims will continue next year," adding, "We are setting implementation plans according to Incheon City's Basic Housing Ordinance, but since jeonse fraud has become a major issue, we will review and decide whether to create a separate ordinance."

Meanwhile, the Michuhol-gu Jeonse Fraud Victims Countermeasure Committee held a press conference in front of Incheon City Hall before the National Assembly inspection, urging the enactment of an ordinance to support victims of jeonse fraud in Incheon City.

At the "Jeonse Fraud Victims Intensive Rally" held on the 14th in front of Bosingak, Jongno-gu, Seoul, hosted by the National Countermeasures Committee for Jeonse Fraud and Empty Jeonse Victims, participants are holding up placards. 2023.10.14 [Photo by Yonhap News]

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