[Column] Jeju International Convention Center Incident, What Is the Jeju Provincial Council Doing While Standing Idly By?

While the National Assembly's Public Administration Committee Identifies Issues, Jeju Provincial Council Stands By
Jeju Province Ignores Center Problems... Victims Appeal to Government Agencies
Victims of Power Abuse Suffer Secondary Harm, Under Psychiatric Care and on Leave

Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Park Changwon Reporter

[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won] Recently, the Jeju International Convention Center (hereinafter referred to as the Center) has been under police investigation due to internal corruption issues and is awaiting an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection. However, the Jeju Provincial Council, which should have monitored and understood the situation, has been passive, drawing criticism from the local community.

The Center is currently facing comprehensive allegations of corruption, including recruitment irregularities, abuse of power and violence within the Center, poor preparation of the 6th industry service reports, splitting use of the corporate credit card by the representative, and fraudulent receipt of employment retention subsidies.

Moreover, there are issues with bidding and contract matters related to the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) business, prompting the National Assembly to request related documents.

Based on reports concerning the Center, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission conducted on-site investigations and referred some matters to the police, with the Seogwipo Police Station currently investigating. Additionally, a member’s office of the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee requested initial documents from Jeju Province and the Center last month and, finding the information insufficient, has requested a second set of documents.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee recognize the seriousness of the issue and are making every effort to ascertain the facts through investigations and document requests.

However, the Jeju Provincial Council, elected by Jeju residents and established to work for Jeju Province, remains inactive, seemingly indifferent despite the Center being under police investigation and awaiting an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection.

While the Jeju Provincial Council stands by with folded arms, the severity of the Center’s problems is deepening.

Victims of abuse within the Center are suffering secondary harm, with one stating, “I feel like everything will only end if I die,” and currently on leave while receiving psychiatric treatment.

Furthermore, the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Audit Committee, which prides itself as the nation’s only autonomous audit body, has failed to provide a clear response regarding its refusal to audit the Center despite receiving a request from Jeju Province.

In addition, the accounting details of the 6th Industry Expo have been withheld from the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee’s document requests, citing confidentiality obligations. Refusing to disclose information for an event funded by national and local government budgets is being criticized as an unacceptable act beyond reason.

Whistleblowers from the Center have appealed for corrective action by contacting Jeju Provincial Government, the Jeju Province Audit Committee, as well as Jeju’s National Assembly members and provincial councilors. However, due to formalities or lack of response, they were compelled to seek help from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, Ministry of Labor, and Board of Audit and Inspection.

If the issues raised by those who had nowhere to turn within Jeju Province are confirmed through investigations and audits, the Jeju Provincial Council’s passive stance will face criticism and demands for accountability from Jeju residents.

Among the 17 metropolitan local governments, Jeju Province is uniquely designated as a Special Self-Governing Province, possessing more independent authority than other metropolitan governments, except in diplomacy and security.

Authority comes with responsibility. If Jeju Province neglects or fails to address problems occurring within its jurisdiction, it will undermine the independence that the Special Self-Governing Province status entails and betray the expectations of Jeju residents.

The Jeju Provincial Council will begin its 2021 administrative audit for about 40 days starting October 12.

It is hoped that the corruption allegations at the Center will be uncovered and rectified not by external agencies but by the Jeju Provincial Council, which represents the will of the residents.

Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won captain@asiae.co.kr