[Seoul District News] Gwanak-gu Conducts Comprehensive Inspection of Public Fund Management Including Local Government Purchase Card Payment Accounts and Establishes Direct Revenue Collection System via Dedicated Accounts, Restricts Withdrawal from Ordinary Deposits (Internet Banking Prohibited)... Songpa-gu Offers Passport Issuance via Advance Reservation on Website and Dedicated Counters for Fast and Convenient Service... Gangseo-gu Provides Up to 200,000 Won Moving Expense Support for Vulnerable Groups
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu recently established a systematic financial administration system that manages public funds transparently, from account management to execution and post-management, amid frequent embezzlement cases in public institutions and companies.
The district has been striving to prepare measures to install a defense shield that can block illegal activities by supplementing vulnerabilities in public fund management so that embezzlement and accounting fraud cannot take root.
To identify the causes of incidents and accidents, a comprehensive inspection of public fund management was conducted over the past three years, targeting all payment accounts of all departments and neighborhoods.
First, the district registered withdrawal restrictions on all ordinary deposit accounts, banned internet banking?which has a high risk of embezzlement?and limited withdrawal transactions not processed through the local financial management system to be possible only via official documents.
Accordingly, returns and other transactions previously done via internet banking were changed to be processed through the local financial management system, requiring approval from the cashier (accounting team leader). Cashiers check daily the deposit and withdrawal details of department expenses, and department heads are institutionalized to approve credit card and Zero Pay account transaction details once a month.
When opening a new bank account, approval from the Finance Department must be obtained and requested from the treasury bank. Additionally, the account’s subsidiary name must include the department name and purpose to ensure proper use.
Furthermore, the Finance Department, which oversees expenditure and fund management, conducts an annual full survey of bank accounts (mass cleanup) in coordination with the audit department at least once a year, securing an additional safety measure allowing the audit department to view the entire account status of the district.
Moreover, to improve the disadvantage that public fund accounts cannot receive direct deposits from outside, dedicated revenue accounts for funds and single-entry accounts were opened, establishing a revenue management system where payments are directly collected at the treasury bank, aiming to strengthen transparent public fund management.
A district official said, “Through this systematic financial administration system, we expect not only to block fraudulent activities but also to further enhance the transparency of the district’s financial fund operation and public fund account management.”
Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) announced that it has been implementing an ‘Online Passport Application Pre-Reservation System’ since March to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and prepare for the surge in overseas travel demand during the with-COVID phase.
By making a simple pre-reservation through the district website, applicants can apply for passport issuance quickly and conveniently at a dedicated counter without waiting.
Reservations can be made by logging in as a member on the district website (General Civil Affairs → Civil Affairs by Category → Passport Menu). Reservations are available from 14 days before the planned visit date up to the day before. Up to three family members can apply together. Once the application is completed, a notification text message is sent to the registered mobile phone. On the reservation day, applicants bring their ID and complete the issuance application at the dedicated counter. The district operates one of the four passport application counters exclusively for reservation applicants.
A resident who used the ‘Online Passport Application Pre-Reservation System’ said, “It was very convenient to safely and quickly apply for passports for my children all at once during the surge of Omicron virus cases.”
If unable to make an online pre-reservation and needing to visit on the same day, applicants can use the ‘Online Passport Application Number Ticket Issuance Service,’ which Songpa-gu is the first public institution to implement.
The ‘Online Passport Application Number Ticket Issuance Service’ allows applicants to receive a number ticket online instead of drawing a waiting ticket on-site and waiting, helping to use waiting time efficiently.
On the Songpa-gu website (General Civil Affairs → Civil Affairs by Category → Passport Menu), members can log in to issue an online number ticket, check the waiting status, and adjust their visit time.
Mayor Park Seong-su of Songpa-gu said, “Although passport application demand is surging due to endemic expectations and new passport issuance, Songpa-gu’s smart administration will save residents’ valuable time. We will continue to improve the quality of life in Songpa through empathetic administration tailored to residents’ perspectives.”
Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) announced that it will support moving expenses up to 200,000 KRW to stabilize the housing life of basic livelihood security households.
The purpose is to alleviate the burden of relocation for vulnerable housing groups and to encourage improvement of their living environment. Most basic livelihood recipients live in monthly rent or rental housing and often move every 1-2 years, facing difficulties covering moving costs due to economic conditions.
Accordingly, the district decided to promote the ‘Moving Expense Support Project for Vulnerable Groups’ to reduce the moving burden for vulnerable residents.
The ‘Moving Expense Support Project for Vulnerable Groups,’ starting this year for the first time, partially supports moving expenses for vulnerable households.
Eligible applicants are basic livelihood recipients receiving livelihood or medical benefits, and the entire recipient household must be moving within Gangseo-gu.
If livelihood or medical benefit recipients complete their move and registration of residence within the district, they can receive support of up to 200,000 KRW per household once a year.
Applicants should bring the application form, a copy of the moving expense receipt, a copy of their bankbook, and other related documents to the community service center of their new residence to apply.
A district official said, “We hope this project will provide practical help to vulnerable residents who find it difficult to cover moving costs due to difficult economic conditions. We will continue to do our best to stabilize the housing life of neighbors in need.”
For detailed inquiries, contact the Gangseo-gu Livelihood Security Division.
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