Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province announced Friday it will conduct a comprehensive audit of business entertainment expenses at its affiliated public institutions, following tip-offs that some agencies had improperly spent funds at nightclubs and other establishments where such expenditures are strictly prohibited.
Governor Woo Sang-ho said any institution found to have committed misconduct in the September audit would face punishment regardless of rank, vowing to "make an example of them without exception" to restore discipline across public agencies and rebuild public trust.
Public institutions established for civic purposes and funded by public money are held to strict standards of transparency and accountability in budget execution. Despite ongoing oversight and repeated warnings from provincial supervisory departments, some agencies have continued to manage their budgets loosely, exposing a broader breakdown in institutional discipline.
The province said it is treating the latest cases with the utmost seriousness and plans to begin a full-scale crackdown on public agency conduct starting with the September audit.
If improper spending is confirmed, those directly involved will face disciplinary action, and agency heads will be held accountable for failures in oversight and management. In cases of serious violations, the province plans to refer matters to the provincial audit committee for formal review and pursue recovery of misused funds — and, depending on the severity, request a criminal investigation.
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