[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 two months of salary for May and June. This has led to an absurd situation where both the former and current presidents are receiving salaries.

TJB reporter Lee Seon-hak investigates why this happened.

[Reporter]

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

Immediately after his dismissal, Kim took legal action by filing for an injunction to suspend the effect of his dismissal against the government.

While the first-instance court rejected the request in March, the appellate court ruled in May that although Kim could not return to his duties, he should still be paid his salary.

However, as the new president, Kim Hee-gon, had already taken office and begun his duties during this period, the court's decision resulted in an unprecedented situation where the Independence Hall must pay salaries to both the former and current presidents.

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 bewilderment regarding this situation.

[Interview] Ok Ju-yeon / Head of the Independence Hall Labor Union: If salaries are paid to two heads of the institution, it will inevitably cause major problems for the organization'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 this litigation.

Currently, both the government and former president Kim have appealed 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 end in August next year, the controversy over double 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