The Woori Welfare Citizens' Alliance has strongly criticized Gimcheon city government for failing to properly oversee Gimcheon Bus amid allegations of embezzlement, breach of fiduciary duty and improper use of subsidies.
The alliance issued a statement Friday saying the Gimcheon City Council had flagged subsidy misappropriation and poor management several years ago, yet the city continued to provide more than 14 billion won ($10.5 million) in annual subsidies without taking meaningful action.
The group also criticized the city for trying to avoid accountability, saying it had announced plans to respond strictly based on police investigation results while stopping short of filing a direct complaint with authorities.
The alliance called on Gimcheon to immediately file a police complaint over the embezzlement, breach of fiduciary duty and subsidy misuse allegations against Gimcheon Bus. It also urged investigators to thoroughly examine whether city officials had turned a blind eye to, facilitated or colluded in the misconduct.
The group said all fuel costs and subsidy disbursements that were improperly paid out should be fully audited, any overpayments recovered and the responsible city officials held strictly accountable.
"Taxpayer money must not be used to serve the private interests of a specific company," an alliance official said. "Gimcheon city and the investigative authorities must bring the full truth of this matter to light."
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