Choo Kyung-ho, who is a member of Liberty Korea Party, brought up a suspicion that some of EDCF (Economic Development Cooperation Fund) operated by The Export-Import Bank of Korea was used for training in areas occupied by rebels from Yemen.
Liberty Korea Party is planning to discuss about this issue during the next session of the National Assembly from aspects of Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and Strategy and Finance Committee.
The Export-Import Bank of Korea stated that it did not financially support rebel groups from Yemen and that it stopped providing funds to a company that is responsible for the corresponding project for pushing the project without any discussion.
The Export-Import Bank of Korea approved Yemen’s training school project in November of 2017 and set up $15.4 million EDCF. A consortium composed of ED, Hoseo University, and Sookmyung Women’s University’s Global Human Resources Development Center was selected as the consortium in charge for this project.
This project was set up to provide training tools and materials, teaching materials, and training for teachers. However, it was confirmed that Yemen Government, which is currently facing a civil war, sent a letter of complaint to Ministry of Foreign Affairs about why South Korean companies and The Export-Import Bank of Korea are supporting Houthis group.
Yemen Government stated that the consortium resumed training in areas occupied by Houthis group and that it even held training sessions by inviting the rebel group to South Korea at the end of last year.
Although South Koreans cannot visit Yemen, it was confirmed that personnel from Houthis Group did not receive much restrictions from Ministry of Justice when entering South Korea.
Yemen Government is stating that South Korea’s EDCF was used to support the rebel group since personnel from Houthis group entered South Korea without any restriction and that training has been resumed within areas occupied by the rebel group.
The consortium that specializes in exporting trainings to Africa and Middle-East has resumed the project last year that was cancelled due to a civil war in Yemen.
Houthis group occupied Sanaa in 2015 which caused exile of Yemen Government to Saudi Arabia.
Choo Kyung-ho stated that there needs to be a detailed investigation into this issue since EDCF could not be resumed when Houthis group occupied Sanaa.
“We cannot operate EDCF, which is set up to support developing countries from taxes paid by South Korean citizens, without any clear plan.” said Choo Kyung-ho. “We are going to look into poor management and operation of EDCF by The Export-Import Bank of Korea at the next session of the National Assembly.”
“This issue brings up problems of EDCF, which is operated by a committee that includes ministers of Ministry of Economy and Finance and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to surface.” said Choo Kyung-ho. “We are going to look into history of EDCF and establish measures with Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that such issue does not happen again in the future.”
Choo Kyung-ho especially emphasized the fact that South Korean companies cannot be innocent victims due to poor administration by South Korean Government.
Meanwhile, the consortium stated that it feels victimized regarding the fact that it invited personnel from Houthis group and held training sessions in South Korea at the end of last year.
“Although we notified and asked The Export-Import Bank of Korea about this issue, but we did not hear anything back.” said a representative for ED. “Dumping this issue onto us now seems very irresponsible.”
On the other hand, The Export-Import Bank of Korea announced that it currently stopped funds that go into training for the rebel group. It explained that its EDCF was in effect when Yemen was under a lawful government and that it currently stopped sending financial support to Yemen after receiving an ex post facto report and understanding the current issue.
Staff Reporter Ahn, Youngguk | ang@etnews.com & Staff Reporter Gil, Jaeshik | osolgil@etnews.com