[On-site Video] "Absolutely Unbelievable" Controversy Over 5 Billion KRW Retirement Pay for Kwak Sang-do's Son at Hwacheon Daeyu

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, PD Yoon Jin-geun] "How can such a thing happen?" , "I can only sigh."

As it became known that Gwak Sang-do, an independent (former People Power Party) lawmaker's son received 5 billion KRW as severance pay from 'Hwacheon Daeyu,' the sighs of ordinary people have deepened. Many point out a sense of relative deprivation and argue that the amount is unimaginable for the general public, calling for strict investigations and punishment of those involved.

According to media reports on the 28th, 'Hwacheon Daeyu,' the developer of the Daejang-dong project in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, paid Mr. Gwak, the son of lawmaker Gwak, 5 billion KRW in March as severance pay and performance bonuses. He worked as an assistant manager for about 5 years and 9 months from June 2015 to March this year and received 5 billion KRW at once, separate from his monthly salary.

When controversy arose over the tens of billions of won severance pay, Mr. Gwak expressed his position through his father, lawmaker Gwak’s Facebook. He questioned, "Is the essence of the Daejang-dong case the design that allowed earning thousands of billions of won, or is it the issue of an individual who worked hard within that?"

Mr. Gwak explained that he did receive 5 billion KRW as severance pay and received about 2.8 billion KRW after taxes. He added, "My father recently found out about this," and said, "Hwacheon Daeyu was heavily reported in the media, so he asked what was going on, and I explained about the salary and performance bonuses."

However, the public’s reaction is cold. They point out that the amount is unfair and unacceptable. Mr. A, a citizen in his 60s met at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul, said, "How can such a thing happen?" and criticized, "Young people’s salaries are at most 2 to 3 million KRW, right?" He continued, "Working for six years and receiving 5 billion KRW as severance pay is an incomprehensible amount." He emphasized, "This must be thoroughly investigated regardless of political party."

Another citizen in his 50s, Mr. B, raised his voice, saying, "There are many unfair aspects," and "This is an unfair amount that our youth can hardly imagine."

Mr. C, a worker in his 40s, said, "Most workers probably feel the same, but I first felt a sense of emptiness, and the gap in status is widening, causing a sense of relative deprivation." He added, "From an ordinary person’s perspective, the amount is unimaginable, and the process is also hard to accept."

Meanwhile, on the 28th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, mentioned that he might consider 'expulsion' regarding the status of lawmaker Gwak Sang-do, who resigned from the party after it was revealed that his son received 5 billion KRW as severance pay from Hwacheon Daeyu.

Lee appeared on a radio show that day and said, "Since lawmaker Gwak has left the party, I have no choice but to comment on his status as a member of the National Assembly." He added, "No matter how much he is from our party, we will respond strictly."