Intensive Reporting Period for Fraudulent Receipt of Government Subsidies,
The Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission (Chairman Jeong Il-yeon) has announced that from today (6th) until May 6th, they will be operating an intensive reporting period for fraudulent receipts of government subsidies in the industry and resources sectors, including fuel subsidies, research and development funds, and startup grants.〈Photo=ACRC〉
In response to the energy crisis originating from the Middle East, the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) is accepting reports for fraudulent receipts of government subsidies in areas such as fuel subsidies and research and development funds within the industry and resources sectors.
The ACRC has announced it will operate this intensive reporting period from today (6th) until next month on the 6th, targeting fraudulent claims on government subsidies such as fuel subsidies, research and development funds, and startup grants in the industry and resources sectors.
According to the ACRC, reports of fraudulent receipt of government subsidies in the industry and resources sectors surged by 106.8% spanning 2024 and 2025. The commission explained that due to a national crisis like the recent energy supply instability, the potential for misuse of related subsidies such as fuel subsidies has increased, necessitating enhanced oversight.
The targets for reporting include actions such as falsely or improperly claiming eligibility for government subsidies, claiming excessive government subsidies beyond the entitled amount, and using government subsidies in ways contrary to designated purposes or procedures defined by support programs.
The ACRC cited key examples, such as using freight vehicle fuel subsidies for personal vehicles or other inappropriate vehicles, collaborating with gas station owners to inflate fuel amounts, and then pocketing the difference. Other examples include falsely registering project personnel to divert salaries, purchasing research materials at falsely inflated prices to pocket the difference, and in the startup grants sector, fabricating documents to claim grants for applications already developed or feigning subcontracting to undeveloped firms.
Reports can be filed through the Integrity Portal (https://www.clean.go.kr), or by visiting or mailing the ACRC. Consultation services are available by dialing 1398 without an area code.
The ACRC is committed to thoroughly protecting the confidentiality of whistleblowers and will support restoration and protective measures in the event of disadvantages or personal threats. Anonymous reporting through attorneys is also possible, and penal surcharges may be reduced or waived if fraudulent recipients voluntarily report and return unjustified gains.
Lee Myung-soon, Vice Chairman of the ACRC, stated, “We will thoroughly investigate reported cases to eradicate fraudulent receipt of government subsidies in the industry and resources sectors that exploit the national crisis.”
,