Gwangju Seo-gu Confirms Some Misconduct at Welfare Center for the Disabled

Recruitment of Party Members, Workplace Harassment, and Personal Task Orders Confirmed
No Evidence Found for Subsidy Embezzlement or Illegal Hiring Solicitation
District Demands Severe Disciplinary Action and Pledges Stricter Oversight

On August 13, Gwangju Seo-gu District announced that it had confirmed some facts during an investigation into allegations of misconduct at the Seo-gu Welfare Center for the Disabled, which was launched last month based on an anonymous tip-off.

The district conducted a thorough investigation of those involved from July 22 to August 8. The investigation team was composed of the head of the Seo-gu Disabled Hope Welfare Division, an audit officer, and a representative of the Gwangju Social Workers Association, in order to ensure fairness.

Gwangju Seo-gu Office Building. Provided by Gwangju Seo-gu

The investigation team questioned 31 individuals, including welfare center executives and staff, retirees, and external parties, using written surveys, interviews, and phone inquiries. As a result, three out of seven allegations raised in the tip-off were confirmed as true.

The main findings were as follows: Allegations that the welfare center director and secretary general recruited party members were found to be partly true, but no connection to any specific politician was identified. It was also confirmed that several employees suffered due to workplace harassment and abuse of power by the secretary general. In addition, claims that the director instructed staff to perform personal tasks unrelated to official duties were verified as true. However, the investigation found no clear evidence to support allegations of subsidy embezzlement or illegal hiring solicitations.

Seo-gu District stated that it will conduct a reinvestigation if additional evidence emerges in the future. Regarding the consignment contract, the district plans to take strict measures, including contract termination for violations and barring participation in Seo-gu’s private consignment projects, as well as establishing institutional safeguards to prevent recurrence.

For the welfare center director and secretary general, Seo-gu will request the trustee organization, referred to as Corporation S, to impose severe disciplinary action of at least suspension. The district also plans to require that the secretary general be completely separated from work duties with other staff members.

A district official stated, "We deeply regret this incident that occurred in the welfare field," and added, "We will work to eradicate similar cases through stricter management and supervision in the future."