Former Chairman Kim Won-woong Charged Again for Misusing Government Card on 'Wig and Haircut Expenses'... Additional Corruption Report at Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has additionally filed charges against former Chairman Kim Won-woong of the Gwangbokhoe. It is alleged that he caused damage to the Gwangbokhoe amid new corruption suspicions involving approximately 800 million KRW.

On the 19th, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced that following a special audit of the Gwangbokhoe conducted from June 27 to July 29, former Chairman Kim was found to have committed multiple corrupt acts, including overestimating printing costs for a publishing project by 500 million KRW, overstating cafe construction expenses by 98 million KRW, accepting 100 million KRW in quid pro quo donations, misusing 130 million KRW of donations for purposes other than intended, and embezzling 22 million KRW via corporate credit cards. The total amount exceeds 800 million KRW.

In June 2020, the Gwangbokhoe signed a business agreement with Seongnam City to promote a comic publishing project titled “100 Independence Activists Comic Publishing Project.” During the selection process for a printing company, the Gwangbokhoe entered into a private contract in July 2020 with printing company H, recommended by the former head of the webtoon planning team at the Seongnam Cultural Foundation under Seongnam City. Around August 2020, the Gwangbokhoe’s person in charge discovered through comparative estimates with existing suppliers that H’s contract price was inflated by more than 90% compared to market prices.

However, former Chairman Kim, who held final approval authority, proceeded with the contract without taking measures such as renegotiation to reduce the supply price, resulting in a loss of approximately 500 million KRW to the Gwangbokhoe during the execution of the 1.06 billion KRW project.

Additionally, in August 2020, while promoting a revenue project for the “Arboretum Cafe” at the National Arboretum in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, the Gwangbokhoe paid 110 million KRW to an interior construction company but failed to provide related construction estimates or inspection reports. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs stated that inquiries with similar companies revealed no signs of painting or repairs on the cafe and building, and expert advice estimated the appropriate construction cost at 12 million KRW.

Former Chairman Kim also instructed the former head of the project management team to find ways to increase operating funds for the Gwangbokhoe. The team head contacted a small business with capital of 50 million KRW, offering promotion and business introductions. Subsequently, this company transferred 100 million KRW to the Gwangbokhoe’s account in November 2020.

However, when the company failed to secure business contracts with the institutions introduced by the team head, it reportedly protested to the Gwangbokhoe. Considering that the company was a small business with capital of 50 million KRW, the Ministry judged the 100 million KRW to be an illegal quid pro quo donation.

During former Chairman Kim’s tenure, it was also found that the Gwangbokhoe violated the Act on the Management of Donations by using 130 million KRW of an 800 million KRW donation from a financial company, which was designated for a specific purpose, for operating expenses instead.

There were also issues of corporate credit card misuse. From June 2019 to December 2021, former Chairman Kim used the corporate card for 1,795 transactions totaling about 79 million KRW. The Ministry noted that approximately 410 transactions amounting to 22 million KRW appeared unrelated to official duties. The card was used for meals for employees and workers at his herbal school, personal side dishes, purchases at a nearby kimbap shop, convenience store, bakery, as well as for medicine, hospital bills, bath fees, and wig styling costs.

Former Chairman Kim is also suspected of unfair hiring practices. Of the 15 people hired during his tenure, seven were employed without any procedures such as public announcements or interviews. However, this issue was excluded from the charges as it is difficult to definitively determine criminal illegality.

Former Chairman Kim resigned in February amid allegations of using cafe profits from a cafe operated within the National Assembly grounds, which were intended to provide scholarships to children of national patriots, for personal purposes. This matter is currently under police investigation.

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