Gyeonggi Fair Special Judicial Police Conduct 'Focused Investigation' on Corruption in Child and Elderly Facilities in the Province

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province is launching a focused investigation into corruption related to food expenses at child care facilities and living expenses at elderly care facilities.

The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police for Fairness announced on the 29th that it will conduct a focused investigation into illegal activities by social welfare corporations and facilities targeting child and elderly facilities, including ▲ misuse or embezzlement of child food expenses for other purposes ▲ misuse or embezzlement of elderly living subsidies for other purposes ▲ disposal (sale, donation, exchange, lease, collateral provision, change of use) of basic assets (real estate, etc.) without the governor's permission ▲ use of profits generated from revenue-generating businesses for purposes other than corporate or facility operation.

The Special Judicial Police for Fairness explained that the investigation will focus on cases where food expenses for socially vulnerable children were arbitrarily used like personal petty cash, leading to poor-quality meals, or where rebates were received in collusion with related companies, as well as subsidy embezzlement at elderly facilities, which has become a significant social issue due to improper facility management.

Subsidies received from the government or local governments must be used strictly for their intended purposes. Basic assets are essential for corporations to operate social welfare projects, so when disposing of them through sale, lease, etc., the governor's permission must be obtained. Violations of this are punishable by "up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 50 million KRW."

Anyone who becomes aware of corrupt activities by corporations and facilities engaged in social welfare projects can report or tip off through the "Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police website, the KakaoTalk channel of the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police for Fairness, or the Gyeonggi Province Public Interest Reporting Hotline."

Kim Young-su, head of the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police for Fairness, emphasized, "Since most social welfare facilities are operated with subsidies or receive direct or indirect support, a high level of public interest and transparency is required. Misuse of subsidies and illegal facility operations ultimately lead to a decline in the quality of welfare services that should return to the residents." He added, "In particular, subsidy corruption is a meticulous and planned crime, so reports from residents are very important."