Songpa-gu Operates 'Emergency Disaster Relief Fund Fraud Crackdown Team'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) is operating the ‘Emergency Disaster Relief Fund Illegal Distribution Task Force’ until August 31 to prevent illegal distribution activities when using the emergency disaster relief fund.

Recently, cases of illegal distribution of the emergency disaster relief fund, which was provided to revitalize the local economy affected by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), have been increasing.

To prevent this, Songpa-gu has organized and is operating the ‘Emergency Disaster Relief Fund Illegal Distribution Task Force.’ Dedicated personnel have been assigned by department: the Autonomous Administration Division (credit, check, prepaid cards) and the Local Economy Division (Seoul Sarang Gift Certificates).

The enforcement contents include ▲ cashing through personal transactions ▲ refusal of emergency disaster relief fund payments at usage locations and demands for additional charges ▲ illegal distribution activities such as receiving or exchanging local Sarang gift certificates beyond actual sales.

First, if the emergency disaster relief fund is cashed contrary to its intended purpose, all or part of it may be required to be returned according to the Act on the Management of Subsidies.

If a merchant refuses credit or prepaid card payments or treats users unfairly, or if card users are made to bear merchant fees, imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW will be imposed.

In addition, in the case of local Sarang gift certificates, merchant registration may be canceled according to the Act on the Promotion of Local Sarang Gift Certificate Use.

Residents who witness illegal activities or experience discriminatory treatment can report through the 120 Dasan Call Center (landline), the Seoul City Response Center website, or the Songpa-gu Office website (Civil Complaints Reporting for Daily Life Inconveniences).

Mayor Park Seong-su of Songpa-gu said, “Since the emergency disaster relief fund is a practical help to revitalize the local economy struggling due to COVID-19, we will do our best to prevent illegal distribution,” and added, “We ask for active reporting and cooperation from residents and small business owners for normal distribution and regional coexistence.”