Violation of the 'Conflict of Interest Prevention Act'... Issues of fairness raised over ultra-fast execution
Person in charge of the Euddeummal Village Project: "Purchased below market price to save budget"
A public official in Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, was recently found to have purchased trees worth about 15 million won from a company represented by his family while carrying out a landscaping project.
Moreover, this official was the main person in charge of the project, and it was confirmed that he granted preferential treatment through self-approval, raising controversy over a violation of the "Conflict of Interest Prevention Act."
On the 31st, according to a comprehensive report by Asia Economy, Muan-gun conducted a village beautification project last year called the "Clean Jeonnam Best Village Making Project," which included mural painting, flowerbed creation, and nameplate making in 32 villages in the Muan area.
A view of Jindo Farm operated by the mother of Muan County public official Mr. A [Photo by Oh Hwan-ju]
The problem is that during the project, the public official in charge, Mr. A (Grade 6), purchased trees worth 15.59 million won from company B in Jindo-gun, where his mother is the representative, for the landscaping work.
The trees planted in the project were purchased not from the Muan area but from the Jindo area, which is seen as a deliberate act to support the family company.
Additionally, while payments to local companies usually took at least 8 days and up to 162 days, the payment to this company was completed just 3 days after the contract, raising suspicions of preferential treatment.
Such actions are pointed out to violate the "Conflict of Interest Prevention Act," which prohibits public officials from pursuing private interests related to their official duties.
Regarding this matter, an anonymous Muan-gun official stated, "The Conflict of Interest Prevention Act is something every public official is interested in and has been educated about, so signing a contract a day before its enforcement indicates a highly intentional incident."
In response, the public official Mr. A explained, "Camellia trees needed for the Clean Jeonnam Best Village Making Project could not be purchased in the Muan area, so after consulting with the village chiefs, we had no choice but to buy from my mother's company," adding, "Rather, the purchase was made at a price lower than the market rate, resulting in budget savings rather than preferential treatment."
Muan = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo just8440@asiae.co.kr
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