Lee Jun-seok on Gwak Sang-do's Son's Severance Pay Controversy: "Unexplained Amount... Demands Additional Statement on Future Position"

Lee Jun-seok Urges Decision on Kwak Sang-do's Position... "Young Generation's Anger Is Great"

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, is giving a greeting at the LA Overseas Korean Policy Meeting held at the Garden Suite Hotel in Los Angeles (LA) on the 25th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 27th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, who returned to Korea after visiting the United States, stated regarding independent lawmaker Kwak Sang-do, who is embroiled in controversy over his son's large severance pay, "I demand an additional declaration of position for the greater cause of regime change."

In a post on his Facebook that day, Lee said, "The amount of severance pay for Kwak's son cannot be explained as compensation related to industrial accident benefits."

He added, "Regarding Hwacheon Daeyu, I have been receiving more detailed reports on the situation, and as soon as the quarantine is lifted, I will go directly to the National Assembly to take charge of the situation."

Lee also said, "I hope that Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party do not fall into the misconception that they can hide their own faults with the case of Kwak's son in the Hwacheon Daeyu issue," adding, "I will adopt the principle of Yukchamgoldan (肉斬骨斷 - sacrificing flesh to sever the opponent's bone)."

Finally, he concluded by questioning, "The public wants a thorough investigation, so why is it that the Democratic Party refuses both the state audit and the special prosecutor?"

Earlier that day, after completing his visit to the U.S., Lee met with reporters at Incheon International Airport and said regarding the controversy over Kwak's son's severance pay, "The anger of the younger generation will be great," and "For the sake of meeting the expectations of the younger generation, Kwak must make a decision regarding his position."

He also added, "Since he has left the party, it is difficult to proceed with party disciplinary measures, but if we believe that Kwak has failed to maintain the dignity of a lawmaker through the prosecution's investigation, we should be able to take further actions." Lee's remarks are interpreted by some as implying possible expulsion from the National Assembly or other measures at the parliamentary level.

Gwak Sang-do, Independent (former member of the People Power Party). [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, it was revealed that Kwak's son, Mr. A, received 5 billion won in severance pay from Hwacheon Daeyu, sparking public criticism.

In response to the growing controversy, on the 26th, Mr. A posted on Kwak's Facebook, stating, "It is true that I worked hard, was recognized, and earned a lot of money despite health issues," but emphasized, "It is not true that my father is behind Hwacheon Daeyu or that he received any rewards because of it. I did not want to disclose my personal matters, especially those related to my health, to anyone including my family."

Meanwhile, Kwak resigned from the People Power Party on the 26th due to the controversy. Afterwards, through his Facebook, he declared his intention to take legal action against Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung, who accused him, stating, "It has been clearly revealed that the owner of the Daejang-dong development project is candidate Lee Jae-myung."

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