Jangheung-gun, Religious Group Disaster Relief Fund... Controversy Over Pastor Using It for Car Repair Costs

Baek Gwang-cheol, Jangheung County Council Member, Requests Fact-Checking Investigation

Church with Only 2 Members Also Received 1 Million Won... Universal Payment to Residents Ignored

Baek Gwang-cheol, a member of Jangheung County Council, is questioning. ? Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do is drawing attention as the executive branch and the council are in conflict over the recipients of disaster relief funds.

According to Jangheung-gun Council on the 15th, allegations have been raised that disaster relief funds paid to religious organizations were used for purposes other than intended.

At the 1st regular meeting of the 266th Jangheung-gun Council held recently, council member Baek Gwang-cheol requested a fact-finding investigation, claiming that disaster relief funds provided in February to local churches under the pretext of purchasing quarantine supplies were used for private purposes.

Council member Baek stated, “In February, the county paid disaster relief funds of 1 million won each in local gift certificates to 126 religious facilities, including 83 churches, 36 temples, and 7 cathedrals,” and “However, a pastor of a local church used 360,000 won of these gift certificates for his car repair expenses,” he revealed.

He added, “I heard this directly from the car center owner,” and “The pastor’s position was that he had no other place to use the funds, so he paid with the disaster relief money.”

He also explained, “One church received 1 million won in disaster relief funds despite having only two members,” and “Some churches found it bothersome to prepare usage statements for the disaster relief funds and returned the money as development funds.”

He pointed out, “While opposing the universal disaster relief fund method of giving 100,000 won to all residents, there is widespread dissatisfaction among residents that the county governor pockets the disaster relief funds and only distributes them to preferred places.”

In response, Jangheung-gun Mayor Jeong Jong-soon said, “If it is confirmed that a pastor used disaster relief funds for car repair expenses, we will take recovery measures,” and “Since no COVID-19 cases have been reported in religious organizations yet, we believe that providing disaster relief funds to religious organizations has been effective.”

He emphasized, “The county government’s policy of selectively distributing disaster relief funds remains unchanged.”

Earlier this year, amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, while local governments were providing disaster relief funds to all residents, Jangheung-gun insisted on selective disaster relief funds given only to specific targets or organizations, causing conflicts with the county council.

Among the 22 cities and counties in Jeollanam-do, only five, including Jangheung-gun, chose the selective distribution method rather than universal disaster relief funds given to all residents.