Gifu Korean School Under Fire for Alleged Double-Dipping on Subsidies, Sparking Audit Call

Allegations have surfaced that Gifu Chosen Gakuen (Gifu Korean School) made multiple overlapping subsidy applications to various local governments, prompting city council members to request an audit. According to a report by Sankei News, the school is suspected of reusing the same receipts to receive subsidies from three different municipalities.

Specifically, while the actual project cost was 340,634 yen, the total subsidies received amounted to 434,500 yen. This discrepancy suggests the possibility of fraudulent receipt of funds.

Following this report, severe criticism erupted on social media, with numerous comments such as "What do they think of the public's tax money?", "It's nothing but fraud," and "All subsidies should be stopped." There were also calls to "expose the darkness of public fund exploitation," accusations of "fraudulent group," and debates questioning the very appropriateness of providing subsidies to Korean schools.

Some posts also highlighted systemic issues, suggesting that "while there have been past requests for repayment, there are no clear regulations regarding double-dipping," pointing to deficiencies in the current system.

City council members who requested the audit are also calling for the revocation of the school's corporate status. The progress of the upcoming investigation is highly anticipated, and this situation underscores the need for strengthened oversight and management of local government subsidies.

The context

Gifu Chosen Gakuen is one of many "Chosen Gakko" (Korean schools) across Japan that primarily serve children of Zainichi Koreans (Koreans and their descendants who are permanent residents of Japan). These schools often operate outside the standard Japanese public education system, providing education focused on Korean language, history, and culture.

Financial support for these schools from local Japanese governments has long been a contentious issue. Critics often argue against subsidies due to concerns about the schools' affiliations—many are perceived to have strong ties to North Korea and its ideology—and a lack of transparency in their operations. This debate is further complicated by historical and political tensions between Japan and both North and South Korea.

The current allegations of "double-dipping" by Gifu Chosen Gakuen—receiving subsidies from multiple local governments for the same expenses by reusing receipts—fall into a broader pattern of scrutiny regarding the financial management of these institutions. An audit request (監査請求, kansa seikyu) is a formal mechanism in Japan for citizens or elected officials to initiate an independent review of public funds if they suspect misuse or impropriety. The call for revoking the school's corporate status reflects the seriousness of the alleged fraud and the public's demand for accountability amidst ongoing controversies surrounding public funding for Korean schools.