South Korea recovered only 40.2 million won, or 2.4%, of 1.66 billion won owed by 16 borrowers whose New Start Fund agreements were canceled after authorities found they had concealed or transferred assets. The findings were included in a settlement review report on the Financial Services Commission prepared by the National Assembly's National Policy Committee and released on the 8th. The New Start Fund, launched in 2022, buys nonperforming loans from small business owners and self-employed people affected by the aftermath of COVID-19, then reduces principal or adjusts interest. Because relief under the loan-purchase track is calculated using net debt, or liabilities minus assets, lawmakers have called for stronger asset checks at application and faster collection after cancellations. Regulators said investigations are time-consuming, while Korea Asset Management Corp. has established a separate unit to pursue suspected cases.