▲National Health Insurance Service
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] It has been revealed that an employee of the National Health Insurance Service embezzled approximately 4.6 billion KRW over six months by exploiting their duties related to bonds.
The Service announced on the 23rd that during a work inspection on the morning of the 22nd, it confirmed that employee Choi (44), who was in charge of bonds, embezzled about 4.6 billion KRW (estimated).
Choi was found to have embezzled medical fees that were withheld due to 'bond seizure' while working in the Finance Management Office at the headquarters of the National Health Insurance Service. The Service identified that Choi manipulated the account information of bondholders to have the medical fees deposited into his own account over six months to embezzle public funds. Choi gradually increased the embezzled amount by depositing 100 million KRW in June and July, 300 million KRW on the 16th of this month, and 4.2 billion KRW on the 21st into his personal account.
After discovering Choi's embezzlement, the Service filed a criminal complaint with the Wonju Police Station and froze the accounts. Measures such as provisional seizure of deposit claims for principal recovery and bond preservation plans are underway. An emergency response team led by the chairman has been activated within the Service.
A Service official stated, "We deeply recognize the seriousness of the matter and are swiftly conducting a thorough inspection of all cash payment-related tasks. We will establish recurrence prevention measures, check for any omissions in the cross-checking process across all operations, and develop fundamental measures to ensure effective internal controls in departments related to high-risk risks."
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