The Ministry of National Defense has launched an audit in response to allegations that companies operating Navy hotel wedding halls have maintained preferential monopoly contracts for approximately 13 years.
According to military authorities on August 11, the Ministry's Audit Office began preparations for an audit of Navy hotels located in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and Jinhae, South Gyeongsang Province, as well as the Navy headquarters at Gyeryongdae, South Chungcheong Province. A Ministry of National Defense official stated, "The audit has not officially begun yet," but added, "We are preparing for the audit on site."
Since 2012, specific companies have been operating the Navy hotel wedding halls in Yeongdeungpo and Jinhae, respectively. Both venues operate under a structure in which the company receives 70% of the profits, while the Navy receives 30%. The Navy has guaranteed these companies' monopolies for 13 years through private contracts.
Recently, records have surfaced of business expense receipts indicating that these companies provided entertainment to former and current Navy officials. The Navy has requested a police investigation in addition to conducting its own internal inspection. At a regular briefing on this day, Lee Kyungho, Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, stated, "The Ministry is taking this matter very seriously and is actively considering measures at the Ministry level."
A Navy official stated at the briefing, "If any misconduct is uncovered as a result of the investigation and inspection, the Navy will take strict action in accordance with relevant laws and regulations."
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