Busan, South Korea – An audit conducted by the Busan City Audit Committee has uncovered significant mismanagement and corruption in the private operation of public sports facilities in the city. The audit, which focused on facilities that have been operated by private entities for over 20 years, revealed widespread neglect of maintenance, financial irregularities, and preferential treatment for certain individuals.

The audit found that the operators of several facilities had failed to properly maintain the premises, leading to leaks, corrosion, and other structural problems. In one case, a facility was found to have significant water damage due to a lack of maintenance.

In addition, the audit revealed a number of financial irregularities, including the improper use of funds, the awarding of contracts without competitive bidding, and the granting of preferential treatment to certain individuals. One facility operator was found to have provided discounted memberships to family members and retired employees, resulting in a loss of over 61 million won in revenue.

The audit also found that several facilities had failed to comply with regulations regarding the collection and use of fees. In one case, a facility operator was found to have failed to report revenue to the city, as required by law.

The Busan City Audit Committee has taken action to address the problems uncovered by the audit. The committee has issued corrective orders to the facilities in question and has referred the matter to law enforcement for further investigation.

"The findings of this audit are deeply troubling," said Yoon Hee-yeon, chair of the Busan City Audit Committee. "We are committed to ensuring that public facilities are operated in a transparent and accountable manner."

The audit has raised concerns about the private operation of public facilities in Busan and has prompted calls for greater oversight of these arrangements. The Busan City Audit Committee has pledged to continue its efforts to ensure the proper management of public facilities in the city.