Receiving Hundreds of Millions in Performance Bonuses... Exploiting a 700,000-Won Monthly Rent Subsidy Loophole?

[Anchor]

Suspicions have been raised that some employees in Samsung Electronics' semiconductor division improperly received housing subsidies of up to 700,000 won per month. Samsung Electronics has launched an investigation into the employees in question.

Reporter Park Jaehyeon has the details.

[Reporter]

These are posts recently uploaded by Samsung Electronics employees on an anonymous community for office workers.

The posts ask for advice, stating that they are being investigated in connection with the company's monthly rent support.

Since 2022, Samsung Electronics' semiconductor division has operated a monthly rent support program for shift workers employed at the Pyeongtaek campus who live far away and find commuting difficult.

Under this scheme, up to 700,000 won is paid monthly to those residing in officetels, one-room apartments, or 1.5-room units under 33 square meters (less than 10 pyeong).

However, suspicions have been raised that some employees submitted documents to the company containing lease terms different from actual conditions in order to receive these subsidies.

The allegations claim that employees living in houses larger than 10 pyeong or in two-room units submitted dual contracts with downscaled floor areas to the company.

It is also known that there are circumstances suggesting some real estate agencies were involved in producing false documents.

[Nearby Real Estate Agent : I have heard about it, but I do not know the details well. I heard rumors that it was happening.]

Samsung Electronics stated, "We are verifying the facts regarding the allegations raised against employees who received housing support funds."

The company explained that they are still narrowing down the list of those subject to the investigation, and that the level of disciplinary action has not yet been determined.

[Sung Jae-hwan / Lawyer : Because it can be viewed as deceiving the company to receive property or acquire financial benefits, the crime of fraud is likely established, and the real estate agent could also face charges of instigation or aiding and abetting...]

With large-scale performance bonuses expected to be paid out in Samsung Electronics' semiconductor division, this suspicion is drawing even more attention.

Samsung Electronics is expected to decide whether to recoup the subsidies and take disciplinary action after confirming the scale of fraudulent receipts and whether there was intent, based on the investigation results.

(Video Editing: Kim Jin-won, Design: Lee Jong-jung)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.