Allegations of 2.7 Billion Won Embezzlement from Safe Accommodation Project for Salt Farm Workers

Allegations of project fund misappropriation have been raised in the salt farm worker safe accommodation construction project promoted during former Shinan County Commissioner Park Woo-rang's tenure. This project was a public undertaking, where Shinan County was supposed to directly order and lead the construction of public facilities to improve the poor working conditions of salt farm workers. However, New 탐사's investigation revealed claims that the money meant for building safe accommodations was used to purchase land owned by former Commissioner Park's associates.

The salt farm worker safe accommodation construction project had a total budget of 10 billion won, with 3 billion won allocated to Zone 1, 3 billion won to Zone 2, and 4 billion won to Zone 3. While Shinan County directly ordered and proceeded with projects in Zone 1 and Zone 2, the fact that only Zone 3 was handled by soliciting private consigned contractors has raised questions. New 탐사 alleged that the company selected as the private consigned contractor for Zone 3 is linked to former Commissioner Park Woo-rang's associates. Thus, transparency issues are being raised regarding the background of why only a specific zone was switched to a private consignment method.

Approximately 70% of the total project cost, about 2.7 billion won, for the Zone 3 safe accommodation construction project had already been disbursed. However, when New 탐사 reporters personally visited the site, only an empty plot remained, with no construction having even begun. The subsidy account for the project was confirmed to have a current balance of 0 won, raising further suspicions about where the substantial disbursed funds disappeared.

The company responsible for the private consignment effectively admitted to misappropriating 2.73 billion won in project funds during the information disclosure request process. It was revealed that this company received money to build safe accommodations and then confessed to using that money to purchase land for their own hotel nearby. This demonstrates that the project funds were diverted for private use, contrary to the original purpose of constructing safe accommodations.

The well-built safe accommodation in Zone 1 of Shinan County, despite being completed, was found not to be inhabited by actual workers. When New 탐사 reporters visited, no one was present at the accommodation, and there were no signs of workers' residency. Furthermore, this accommodation is located far from the salt farms, making it difficult for workers to commute, leading to criticism that its practical utility is low. Consequently, there is criticism that the safe accommodation is being neglected and failing to achieve its original purpose of improving workers' conditions.