[Anchor]

It has been confirmed that Kim Hyeong-seok, the former president of the Independence Hall of Korea who was dismissed earlier this year amid controversy over his views on pro-Japanese activities, received his salary for the months of May and June. This has led to an absurd situation where both the former and current presidents are being paid simultaneously.

TJB reporter Lee Seon-hak investigates why this is happening.

[Reporter]

Kim Hyeong-seok, the former president of the Independence Hall of Korea, was dismissed in February following controversy over his New Right leanings shortly after taking office.

Immediately after his dismissal, Kim filed for an injunction to suspend the execution of the dismissal against the government and began legal action.

While a lower court dismissed the request in March, an appellate court ruled in May that while Kim would not be reinstated to his duties, he should still be paid his salary.

However, in the meantime, the new president, Kim Hee-gon, had already taken office and begun his duties, leading to an unprecedented situation where the Independence Hall is required to pay salaries to both the former and current presidents based on the court's decision.

It has been confirmed that the Independence Hall has already paid the salaries for May and June to former president Kim Hyeong-seok.

Given that the former president's annual salary is approximately 130 million won, the two months of pay are estimated to be around 20 million won.

Employees at the Independence Hall are unable to hide their embarrassment over the situation.

[Interview: Ok Ju-yeon / Head of the Independence Hall Labor Union] : If salaries are being paid to two heads of the institution, it will inevitably cause major problems for the institution's budget. Furthermore, it is difficult to understand why someone who was dismissed through the proper procedures of the board of directors continues to pursue such litigation.

Currently, both the government and former president Kim have filed appeals to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the main lawsuit filed to cancel the dismissal, which is separate from the injunction request, has not even had a hearing date scheduled yet.

As former president Kim's term was originally set to expire in August next year, the controversy over dual salary payments is expected to continue for a considerable period, depending on the Supreme Court's ruling and the progress of the main lawsuit.

(Video by Kim Seong-soo, TJB)

Reported by Lee Seon-hak, TJB