Dongjak-gu, Guide to Using Emergency Disaster Relief Funds

From the 18th, district employees will directly verify improper transaction usage at regional sites... Informing and promoting correct subsidy usage to residents through district office integrated call center and blog

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Dongjak-gu (Mayor Chang-woo Lee) is guiding the proper use and stable settlement of the emergency disaster relief fund by informing residents and verifying usage locations within the district.

First, since the 18th, all employees of the Audit Office have formed teams by district and become "Mystery Shoppers" to conduct on-site verification by directly using the emergency disaster relief fund at usage locations such as traditional markets and neighborhood marts.

A Mystery Shopper is a person who poses as a customer to evaluate the service of store employees.

The main points of verification include ▲ refusal of disaster relief funds (local currency) or separate pricing ▲ separate requests for VAT and fees ▲ inducement to pay in cash through discount offers, etc.

When inappropriate usage businesses are identified through on-site inspections and continuous surveys, related departments will conduct field inspections, and if illegal cases are confirmed, measures will be taken according to relevant laws (such as considering prosecution or cancellation of franchise registration).

Additionally, the district is promoting guidance and publicity on the proper use of the emergency disaster relief fund targeting residents, who are the users.

To resolve residents’ questions about the application and usage locations of the emergency disaster relief fund, an integrated call center operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, providing guidance, and the district office blog also posts “Understanding How to Use the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund” for publicity.

Furthermore, on the 20th, the district held a “Traditional Market Day” event to revitalize the local economy. District employees took the lead by using the emergency disaster relief fund to shop and dine at 10 traditional markets and shopping districts within the area. A total of about 2,000 people, including district employees and 49 related organizations, participated in the event.

Meanwhile, the district operates an integrated government emergency disaster relief fund counter at 15 community service centers until June 18. To prevent congestion and ensure residents’ convenience, 2 to 4 dedicated counters have been set up in unused spaces such as auditoriums at each community service center, with staff assigned. For elderly or disabled households with mobility difficulties, a visiting application service is also provided.

The target for the district’s emergency disaster relief fund is a total of 173,897 households, and as of the 21st, 153,321 households have applied, with 88.1% of the total target receiving support.

Chang-woo Lee, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, said, “We will do our best to ensure that the emergency disaster relief fund, which supports overcoming the COVID-19 economic crisis and stabilizing residents’ lives, is used appropriately.” He added, “To prevent COVID-19 infection, I hope each resident strictly follows social distancing practices and hygiene rules as a subject of quarantine in daily life.”