Gwak Sang-do "Anseong Girl Statue, They Said It Was Street Fundraising... Lee Gyu-min Lies Every Time He Opens His Mouth"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] Gwak Sang-do, a member of the Future United Party and chairman of the 'Task Force (TF) for Investigating Allegations Related to Yoon Mi-hyang,' criticized Lee Gyu-min, the elected member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Gyeonggi Anseong), on the 21st for his explanation regarding the fundraising for the 'Anseong Peace Statue of a Girl.' Gwak called it a "lie that mocks the public." Lee is the person who mediated for Yoon Mi-hyang, the elected member, to purchase the Anseong shelter using donations to the Justice Memory Foundation.

When allegations arose that Lee conducted fundraising for the statue without registering as a fundraising organization with the local government, he explained on his Facebook on the 20th that "it does not apply." He stated, "The finances of the Anseong Peace Statue Construction Promotion Committee consist of membership fees paid by NABI members who submitted applications and promotion committee members, as well as sales from NABI badges," asserting that registration was not required.

According to the Act on the Solicitation and Use of Donations, if donations exceeding 10 million KRW are solicited, a fundraising and usage plan must be submitted and registered with the relevant metropolitan local government. Violation of this law can result in imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million KRW.

However, Representative Gwak refuted Lee's explanation, stating that Lee "also conducted street fundraising targeting unspecified many people."

In a statement, Representative Gwak pointed out, "In January 2018, Lee himself disclosed on his Twitter that 'street fundraising funds amounted to 11 million KRW,' and the 'Bankbook Donor Report' released by the promotion committee also indicates street fundraising," adding, "At that time, media reports revealed that the promotion committee raised about 68 million KRW through street fundraising and other means."

He sharply criticized, "Lee is once again mocking the public by lying that this was not fundraising but revenue from selling NABI badges."

Regarding the mediation of the Anseong shelter, Representative Gwak said, "Lee explained that he did not receive money as a reward for introducing Yoon, but he remains silent about how he held 100 million KRW in cash assets during the 2016 general election," urging, "If it is difficult, do not remain silent; please clearly disclose the source of this money as well."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.