A 'basic welfare recipient' driving a luxury car
A woman in her 70s, who drove a luxury sedan and used a card in her child's name
while falsely claiming basic livelihood support and receiving tens of millions of won,
received a suspended prison sentence in the appellate court as well.
The appellate court ruled that the previous judgment was appropriate, considering factors such as the lack of a sense of law-abidingness.
We break down what the problem was and how the trial ended, step by step, using comics and graphics.
We break down what the problem was and how the trial ended, step by step, using comics and graphics.
#1. Registration as a Basic Livelihood Recipient
Ms. A was registered as a basic livelihood recipient and received livelihood allowance, housing allowance, and medical allowance in Seo-gu, Gwangju.
The benefit period was from January 2021 to November 2023.
#2. Equus Sedan, Rent, and Child's Card
However, her actual life was different from what was reported.
Ms. A drove a used Equus sedan purchased under an acquaintance's name,
used a check card in her son's name,
and received several million won for her living expenses.
It was also found that she received monthly rent from Mr. B, with whom she was in a common-law relationship.
#3. Discovery of Fraudulent Benefit Receipt
It was revealed that she did not report these changes in her income and assets,
and as a result, Ms. A was brought to trial.
The problematic amount, combining medical, housing, and livelihood allowances, totaled approximately 54 million won.
It was found that Ms. A received these benefits over approximately 240 instances.
#4. Receipt of Over 54 Million Won
Fraudulently Received Amount
Received Basic Livelihood Allowance
over 240 times
over 240 times
Total Fraudulent Amount
Over 54 million won
From January 2021 to November 2023
Medical Allowance43.92 million won
Livelihood Allowance6.7 million won
Housing Allowance3.6 million won
Of the benefits she wrongfully received, the amount for the medical allowance was the largest at 43.92 million won.
This was followed by the livelihood allowance of 6.7 million won and the housing allowance of 3.6 million won.
#5. "The Government Is Also Responsible"
During the trial, Ms. A admitted her wrongdoing,
but argued that "the government is also responsible."
She claimed she became a recipient because she had no contact with her children,
but the district office said that receiving help from her family
violated the eligibility for support.
Ms. A protested, saying, "I think it is wrong to expect someone to sever ties with their children in order to qualify."
#6. Suspended Sentence, Maintained in Appeal
The first trial court found that Ms. A did not report changes in income and assets,
and fraudulently received various benefits, viewing the offense as serious.
However, the court also considered that the benefits paid during the period of fraudulent receipt
were likely to be recovered.
Accordingly, she was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years.
Although Ms. A appealed, the appellate court upheld the original judgment.
#7. From Fraudulent Receipt to Appeal Dismissal
Case Timeline
From Fraudulent Receipt to
Appeal Dismissal
Appeal Dismissal
January 2021
Started receiving basic livelihood allowance
Began receiving benefits as a recipient.
Jan 2021 - Nov 2023
Fraudulent receipt over 240 instances
Investigations showed she received over 54 million won in total.
Investigation Result
Equus, child's card, and rent receipt confirmed
It was revealed that she did not report the changes in income and assets.
First Trial
8 months in prison, 2 years suspended sentence
The court found the offense serious.
Appeal
Appeal dismissed, original ruling upheld
The court determined that she lacked a sense of law-abidingness.
In summary:
The fraudulent benefit receipt continued from January 2021 to November 2023,
and the case concluded with the first trial verdict, appeal, and the dismissal of the appeal.
#8. Court: "Difficult to Find a Sense of Law-abidingness"
Appellate Court's Decision
Court's Judgment
Original Ruling Upheld
Considered Factors
Recovery Measures
Expected
Expected
Basis for Judgment
Lack of
Law-abidingness
Law-abidingness
8 months in prison, 2 years suspended sentence maintainedAppellate court dismissed Ms. A's appeal
The appellate court considered that the amount paid during the period of fraudulent benefit receipt is expected to be recovered,
but also determined that Ms. A lacked a sense of law-abidingness.
Taking all these circumstances into account, the court found the original ruling justified and dismissed the appeal.
As a result, the sentence of eight months in prison with a two-year suspension was maintained.
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Reporter Seo Jiyeong zo2zo2zo2@asiae.co.kr
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Edit Maeng Jiae mjiae@asiae.co.kr
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