5·18 Gongbeop Organization Allocated 90% of Operating Expenses to Chairman's Car Purchase

Gongrojahoe Purchased SUV Lease Last Year Worth About 70 Million Won

Approximately 40 Million Won Used Out of 45 Million Won Veterans Affairs Operating Expenses

Executive: "Former President Did It... We Are Also Embarrassed Due to Early Term

The 5·18 Democratic Movement Contributors Association, a public legal entity, has sparked controversy after it was revealed that 90% of the budget allocated for operating expenses last year was spent on purchasing a vehicle for the association's president.

Moreover, it has been pointed out that the remaining amount needed for the vehicle purchase was covered monthly through the association's own membership fees, indicating that funds meant for the contributors are being wasted.

The Construction Method Association for the 5·18 Democratic Movement Contributors held a press conference on the 22nd of last month at the Office of the Injured Association within the 5·18 Memorial Foundation in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, stating, "We will file additional lawsuits and complaints against Mayor Kang Gi-jung of Gwangju and related officials."
[Photo by Min Hyun-gi]

According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and 5·18 organizations on the 12th, the operating budget provided to the Contributors Association last year was about 532 million KRW. Excluding the majority spent on personnel costs, the amount available for operating expenses was approximately 45 million KRW.

The budget excluding personnel costs is used for operating expenses, office expenses, and other recurring costs. Last year, the Contributors Association purchased an SUV worth about 60 million KRW for President Lim Jong-su. Due to insufficient budget, the purchase was made through a lease contract, with the total vehicle price amounting to over 70 million KRW.

About 40 million KRW was paid upfront from the budget, and the remaining 30 million KRW is being paid monthly by the Contributors Association as a self-funded amount. Approximately 90% of the operating expenses necessary to run the association were used for the vehicle purchase.

There is also criticism within the organization.

Contributor Kim (61) said, "Even after being approved as a public legal entity and conducting profit-making activities, we were still asked to pay an annual fee of 30,000 KRW each," adding, "I wondered where that money was going, and it turned out they were buying a car."

Upon learning of this, the Contributors Association expressed embarrassment over the previous administration's poor judgment.

The Contributors Association elected President Jeong Seong-guk through an election in December last year, and this issue was related to actions taken by former President Lim Jong-su and his administration.

Furthermore, former President Lim did not recognize President Jeong's election, filed an objection, and for about six months until the court ruling, he did not hand over the vehicle to the association but continued to use it. The tollgate fines and other penalties incurred during the vehicle ownership period are now the responsibility of the Contributors Association.

Because of this, the association considered returning the vehicle, but the early termination penalty for the lease amounts to 33 million KRW, leaving them unable to take any action.

Given these circumstances, voices of criticism have also emerged from the May organizations.

Kim Hyung-mi, director of the May Mothers' House, said, "If even one May organization makes a mistake, the image of Gwangju as a whole, including 5·18, is damaged," adding, "Since the Contributors Association is a public legal entity registered with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, its accounting must be conducted with greater transparency."

Former President Lim Jong-su explained, "I only postponed the handover until the court's ruling, but the current administration of the Contributors Association even filed a complaint, and the police found no charges," adding, "Now, following the court's ruling, the handover has been completed, and there are no legal issues."