Ministry holds three support committee meetings in August
The number of government-recognized jeonse fraud victims has surpassed 40,000 after 658 additional cases were approved.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Monday it held three plenary sessions of the Jeonse Fraud Damage Support Committee during August, reviewing 1,798 cases and approving 658 as jeonse fraud victims.
Of the 658 approved cases, 627 were new applications, including reapplications. The remaining 31 were appeals against earlier decisions that were overturned after further review confirmed they met the eligibility requirements under Article 3 of the Jeonse Fraud Victim Protection Act.
Of the remaining 1,140 cases, 626 were rejected for failing to meet eligibility requirements, and 239 were excluded from the program because full deposit refunds were possible through guarantee insurance or priority repayment protections. An additional 275 appeal cases were dismissed after review found they still did not meet the required conditions.
The cumulative total of recognized jeonse fraud victims through the end of August stands at 40,936, with 1,225 cases granted emergency auction deferral requests. Korean nationals account for 40,389 cases, while foreign nationals make up 547, or 1.3 percent. The government is providing a total of 77,805 instances of support to recognized victims across housing, financial and legal assistance.
The ministry said those who were not recognized or only partially met the requirements may file an appeal, and that even applicants whose appeals were dismissed may reapply if their circumstances change at a later date.
Meanwhile, Korea Land and Housing Corporation had purchased 10,718 units of jeonse fraud-affected housing through the end of August, with a monthly average of 716 units so far this year, the ministry said, adding that it is actively pushing ahead with acquisitions.
The ministry and the corporation are running purchase review meetings and a fast track process to accelerate acquisitions, and plan to continue coordinating with district courts on auction proceedings to support housing stability for victims.
In addition, the ministry and Korea Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation are operating a "safe contract consulting" program at eight jeonse fraud prevention and support centers nationwide to help prospective tenants check property rights and contract risks before signing a lease. Prospective tenants can visit the centers for consultations on property rights analysis, lease contract wording review and precautions for safe lease agreements.
smh@heraldcorp.com
