President Lee: "Making a Living by Reporting Corruption Is Not Bad... It Contributes to the Nation"

▲ President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a ministry work report held at the Yeongbingwan of the Blue House on July 15.

President Lee Jae-myung stated today (July 15) that "making a living by uncovering and reporting corruption is not a bad thing," and promised exceptional rewards for those who report corruption crimes, such as the fraudulent receipt of government subsidies.

During a work report by the Ministry of Finance and Economy and other departments held at the Blue House Yeongbingwan today, President Lee made the remarks after hearing from a public observation group that subsidies for an urban renewal project in Seo-gu, Daegu, were being poorly managed. He noted, "There is a need to strengthen the subsidy management system."

President Lee said, "It is the government's policy that if the state recovers funds by reporting criminal acts, approximately 30 percent of that amount should basically be paid to the reporter or contributor," adding, "There is no need to prohibit people from doing this professionally to earn money."

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook also stated, "While reporting must be strengthened, companies applying for support projects seem to have a very weak perception that (fraudulent receipt) is abnormal," and announced a plan to strengthen sanctions.

In response, President Lee added, "I have a similar thought. It is too lenient," and continued, "If it is a mistake, it can be corrected, but if they are doing it intentionally for fraudulent receipt, that company should either be denied (application opportunities) entirely or dissolved."

Minister of Planning and Budget Park Hong-keun explained, "We are currently investigating all 12,000 or more private and local subsidy projects by October," adding, "We are also rushing to amend enforcement decrees and laws related to penalty surcharges, along with rewards for reporting."

(Photo: Blue House Press Corps, Yonhap News)

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