Veterans Affairs Office Launches Intensive Audit on Gwangbokhoe Amid Corruption Allegations

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwak Minjae] The Liberation Association, which has been embroiled in internal strife due to allegations of corruption against former Chairman Kim Won-woong, will undergo a high-intensity audit.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced on the 26th, "We will begin a preliminary investigation this month into the Liberation Association's profit-making businesses, subsidies, and overall organization operations, followed by a high-intensity audit, and will take strict measures based on the results."

Earlier in February, the Ministry confirmed through a special audit that the Liberation Association had improperly used profits from the cafe 'Heritage 815' established in the National Assembly, canceled the profit-making business, and requested an investigation into those involved. Despite this, additional allegations of financial misconduct and unfair management have continued, leading the Ministry to determine that a comprehensive audit is necessary.

According to the Ministry, an external accounting audit of the Liberation Association resulted in a "disclaimer of opinion" due to inadequate related materials. This is an audit opinion expressed when it is considerably difficult to verify the accuracy of financial statement components due to lack of data or non-cooperation from the audited institution. There is also recognition of the possible existence of "off-the-books debt" (liabilities not recorded in the accounting books) that occurred after the former chairman took office.

Park Min-sik, head of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, stated, "The current chaotic state of the Liberation Association is something that would deeply sadden our patriotic martyrs and national heroes, and if An Jung-geun or Kim Gu were here, they would have taken up the disciplinary rod," adding, "With unwavering determination, we will swiftly and clearly audit the entire Liberation Association and take strict measures."