[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] It has been revealed that the number of unqualified members detected among the members of the Fisheries Cooperative Association has approached an average of 5,000 per year over the past five years.
According to the 'Status of Members and Unqualified Members Management' submitted by the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives to Eo Gi-gu, a member of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, and Maritime Affairs Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, the number of unqualified members was 5,568 in 2015, 4,104 in 2016, 3,896 in 2017, 6,059 in 2018, and 5,017 in 2019, totaling 24,644 over the past five years.
The breakdown of unqualified members by type was 12,014 unqualified persons, 12,126 deceased, and 504 unqualified members due to bankruptcy or other reasons.
The dividends distributed to unqualified members detected over the past five years amounted to 8.61 million KRW in 2015, 13.95 million KRW in 2016, 36.54 million KRW in 2017, 130.69 million KRW in 2018, and 56.16 million KRW in 2019, totaling 245.96 million KRW.
Assemblyman Eo stated, "If unqualified members exercise their rights, government subsidies may be provided unlawfully, or the communication of fishermen's intentions in cooperative elections may be distorted," and urged, "Management should be strengthened to ensure that the identification and organization of unqualified members proceed swiftly."
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