In a surprising revelation, the government has allocated nearly 20 billion won as contingency funds for the ‘overseas press center,’ citing a lack of funds for the purpose. This move comes after the government had used 523 billion won of contingency funds for overseas visits last year, sparking criticism for repeatedly diverting emergency funds for such purposes.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently submitted a request for an additional 194 million won in contingency funds for the overseas press center due to a shortage of operational budget. This decision has raised concerns about the appropriateness of using emergency funds for overseas visits without proper oversight.
The background for the shortage of overseas visit budget this year can be traced back to President Yoon Suk-yeol’s abrupt postponement of his visits to Germany and Denmark in February. This sudden change in plans incurred additional costs, including venue rental fees and transportation expenses.
Overall, there have been ongoing controversies surrounding the government’s allocation of contingency funds for overseas visits, highlighting the need for more transparency and accountability in managing public finances.
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