Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Conduct Intensive Crackdown on Illegal Activities in Social Welfare Facilities Including Subsidy Embezzlement

Gyeonggi Provincial Government Gwanggyo New Office Building Exterior View

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province is launching a focused crackdown on illegal activities such as embezzlement of subsidies by social welfare corporations.

The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit for Fairness announced on the 24th that it plans to conduct an intensive investigation this year into illegal activities related to the misuse of subsidies by social welfare facilities (corporations) in the province, including using subsidies for purposes other than intended, false personnel wage subsidies, and unauthorized disposition of basic assets of social welfare corporations.

The main investigation topics include ▲ illegal use of profits from business activities of social welfare support corporations from January to March ▲ misuse of subsidies for child and disabled welfare facilities from March to September ▲ misuse of subsidies for function enhancement of social welfare facilities from July to September ▲ false personnel wage subsidies for social welfare facilities from March to October ▲ misuse of Saturday operation subsidies (meal expenses and program fees) for social welfare facilities from January to May ▲ year-round crackdown on illegal operation of donation food provision sites (Food Bank) from May to December.

Under the current "Social Welfare Services Act," subsidies received from the government or local governments for social welfare facilities cannot be used for purposes other than those intended, and basic assets must obtain the governor's approval when being sold or leased to the extent necessary for the operation of social welfare services by the corporation. Violations of these regulations may result in imprisonment for up to five years or fines of up to 50 million won.

Kim Kwang-deok, head of the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit for Fairness, said, "Illegal activities by social welfare facilities (corporations) seeking personal gain have caused leakage of welfare services to beneficiaries," and added, "Reports and tips from social welfare workers and residents play a decisive role more than in any other field." He urged residents to show active interest and provide information.

Meanwhile, last year, the special judicial police unit apprehended 16 representatives and workers who committed illegal acts and referred them to the prosecution.