Seosamsok "The Law Card Usage Place Said to Be a Restaurant, But Is It Actually a Bar?"

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Subordinate Agencies Suspected of 245 Violations of the Kim Young-ran Act
"Conduct a Full Survey of Related Agencies to Improve Public Service Culture Environment"

Assemblyman Seo Samsuk making an inquiry. [Photo by Seo Samsuk]

Concerns have been raised regarding the inappropriate use of business promotion expenses and corporate cards by marine and fisheries-related organizations.

The government has been enforcing the Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Graft, commonly known as the "Kim Young-ran Act," since 2016. The meal allowance provided to public officials was initially 30,000 KRW but was increased to 50,000 KRW starting this August.

On the 26th, Seo Sam-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Yeongam, Muan, and Sinan, analyzed the use of business promotion expenses and corporate cards by 21 related organizations, including the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (hereafter "marine and fisheries-related organizations"). The analysis revealed 245 suspected violations of the Kim Young-ran Act from 2019 to July 2024.

Among these, Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority accounted for about half, with 119 cases. Other organizations with a high number of violations include ▲Incheon Port Authority with 43 cases ▲Korea Coast Guard (headquarters) with 30 cases ▲Busan Port Authority with 25 cases ▲National Maritime Museum with 8 cases ▲National Marine Science Museum with 7 cases ▲Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency with 6 cases ▲Korea Institute of Marine Science and Technology Promotion with 3 cases ▲National Marine Biodiversity Institute and Korea National Maritime Signaling Technology Institute with 2 cases each. The highest amount per person was 111,000 KRW at Incheon Port Authority, while the highest average amount per person was 58,010 KRW at the National Maritime Museum.

Cases of corporate card misuse were also uncovered. Since his appointment in July 2022, the head of the Korea National Maritime Signaling Technology Institute visited a seafood restaurant in Busan seven times, charging an average of 200,000 KRW per visit, totaling 1.4 million KRW on the corporate card. Seo’s office confirmed that the seafood restaurant was actually a bar equipped with karaoke machines.

Seo criticized, stating, “Since the government and public institutions operate using taxpayers’ money, financial transparency is crucial,” adding, “However, violations of the Kim Young-ran Act are frequently occurring among marine and fisheries-related organizations.”

Seo further emphasized, “The Korea National Maritime Signaling Technology Institute wasted taxpayers’ money through personal misconduct by visiting a restaurant with karaoke machines seven times. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries must conduct a thorough investigation of related ministries and affiliated organizations, hold public officials accountable for violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, and foster an improved public service culture by ensuring compliance with the Kim Young-ran Act and internal regulations.”