'5 Billion Retirement Pay' Gwak Sang-do "Unaffiliated with Hwacheon Daeyu"...Netizens "Shameless"

Gwak Sang-do "Will ensure truth is revealed through investigation of allegations"

Former lawmaker Gwak Sang-do. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Criticism is pouring in on the apology statement of former People Power Party lawmaker Kwak Sang-do, who ultimately resigned after it was revealed that his son, Kwak Byung-chae, received a retirement bonus of 5 billion KRW from Hwacheon Daeyu.

On the 11th, former lawmaker Kwak posted a blog entry titled "As of today, I leave my position as a member of the National Assembly and return to being a private citizen." This day was also when the resignation of former lawmaker Kwak was approved at the 11th plenary session of the 391st National Assembly (regular session).

He said, "I sincerely apologize to the people for causing discomfort regarding the performance bonus my son received," adding, "Knowing when to advance and when to step back is a basic human quality, and I believe that if public trust is not the foundation, stepping down from office is the fate of a public official."

However, former lawmaker Kwak emphasized his non-involvement in the Daejang-dong development project and Hwacheon Daeyu, stating, "I once again declare that I did not do anything related to the Daejang-dong development project or Hwacheon Daeyu, nor was I involved in any matters."

He continued, "I will not hide behind my position as a member of the National Assembly to evade responsibility," promising, "The allegations against me will be thoroughly investigated, and the truth will be clarified."

On the 11th, at the 11th plenary session of the 391st National Assembly (regular session) held at the National Assembly, the resignation bill of Assemblyman Kwak Sang-do and the appointment consent bill for Chief Auditor Choi Jae-hae were passed.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Furthermore, former lawmaker Kwak expressed, "To the people who have supported me for the past five and a half years, especially the residents of Daegu Jung and Nam districts who gave me the opportunity to serve as a member of the National Assembly, I offer my apologies and gratitude," adding, "I will definitely prove my innocence and show that your support and choice were not wrong."

Netizens are responding coldly to Kwak’s claims of innocence. Netizen A, who left a comment directly on Kwak’s blog, criticized, "Stop blaming others so easily. It’s shameless to think it’s normal that your son’s retirement bonus is more than the wealth you’ve accumulated your whole life." Netizen B sarcastically responded to Kwak’s statement about returning to being a private citizen, saying, "How about returning as a prisoner instead of a private citizen?"

Other criticisms poured in, such as "Reveal the details about the 5 billion KRW your son received," "I will acknowledge you if you donate 5 billion KRW," and "Have you not returned the salary you received from taxes over the past five years?"

Meanwhile, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office plans to summon Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu who is currently detained, this afternoon to focus on investigating whether the 5 billion KRW retirement bonus to former lawmaker Kwak’s son was a payoff.

The prosecution suspects that when the consortium led by Seongnam Utddeul, selected as the Daejang-dong project developer, was at risk of collapsing early on, former lawmaker Kwak exerted influence on behalf of Kim at Hana Financial Group. Accountant Jung Young-hak, owner of Cheonhwa Dongin No. 5, an affiliate of Hwacheon Daeyu, reportedly testified during the investigation that "I understand that lawmaker Kwak spoke to Hana Financial Group to help form the Hana Bank consortium."

Based on the facts confirmed through Kim’s investigation, the prosecution is expected to summon former lawmaker Kwak within this week.

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