14 will share $250,000 in gov’t awards

The government will award a total of 256 million won ($250,000) to individuals at 14 institutions who have contributed to increasing public revenues this year.

The Ministry of Strategy and Finance said yesterday it collected about 1.03 trillion won through May thanks to the individuals’ efforts. The ministry said the government could cut about 73.5 billion won in its expenditures.

The awards went to individuals in both the government and private sector.

Three officials at the National Tax Service will be awarded 15 million won each for imposing a tax on profits from carbon emissions rights on a foreign corporation that brought in about 53 billion won.

This was the first time a foreign company has paid the tax. The carbon emissions tax system was to have been adopted last year, but it was delayed until 2015 due to opposition from businesses.

Seven officials at the Korea Customs Service will receive 10 million won each for cracking down on importers and preventing the evasion of as much as 85 billion won in tariffs.

Two technicians at the Navy Logistical Command will get 25 million won each for helping the government save about 2.9 billion won by repairing diesel engines of submarines without having to cut through the ships’ skin.

Under national financial law, the government doles out cash prizes each year to individuals who contribute to increasing government revenues. The maximum amount is 39 million won per person.

BY SONG SU-HYUN [ssh@joongang.co.kr]