[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.

They contain requests for advice, stating that they are being investigated regarding the company's monthly rent support.

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

The program provides up to 700,000 won per month for those residing in officetels, studio apartments, or 1.5-room units under 33 square meters (less than 10 pyeong).

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

The claim is that they lived in homes larger than 10 pyeong or in two-room apartments while submitting dual contracts with reduced floor space to the company.

It is also known that there are circumstances suggesting some real estate agencies were involved in creating 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 the number of those under investigation is still being narrowed down, and the level of disciplinary action has not yet been determined.

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

This suspicion is drawing even more attention as massive performance bonuses are expected to be paid out in Samsung Electronics' semiconductor division.

Based on the investigation results, Samsung Electronics is expected to determine the scale of improper collection and whether there was intent, followed by decisions on recovering the subsidies and taking disciplinary measures.

[Video Editing: Kim Jin-won | Design: Lee Jong-jung]