Seoul, South Korea – A South Korean court on January 29 sentenced nine individuals to prison terms, suspended for two years, for fraudulently obtaining public housing provided by the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH). The defendants, along with an accomplice who received a fine, were found guilty of fraud, violations of the Resident Registration Act, and the Public Housing Act.

The group, led by an individual identified only as A, conspired to secure public housing by falsely claiming to be low-income residents living in cramped conditions such as goshiwon (small, cubicle-like rooms). Between 2017 and 2023, they submitted fraudulent documents to LH, including false residency certificates, to qualify for the public housing program.

LH's public housing program is designed to provide affordable housing options for low-income individuals and households, particularly those living in substandard housing conditions. However, the defendants exploited the system by paying brokers to falsify their residency records.

Presiding Judge Jeong Jae-uk of Suwon District Court emphasized the severity of the crime, stating that the defendants' actions had deprived legitimate applicants of the opportunity to secure public housing. Nevertheless, the judge considered the defendants' full confessions and the apparent lack of premeditated intent when determining the sentence.

The case has sparked renewed concerns about the integrity of South Korea's public housing system and highlighted the need for stricter measures to prevent similar fraudulent activities in the future.