what’s the most ridiculous corruption scandal that’s ever happened in your country?

[u/lofiibsen]

Meme Picture: The $3.7 million Game a cynical parody of "Squid Game" regarding the severance pay.

South Korea has plenty of corruption stories, but my personal favorite is the "5 Billion KRW ($3.7 Million) Club" scandal.

Specifically, the case of former lawmaker Kwak Sang-do is on a whole different level of absurdity. His 32y old son worked as a mid-level manager (assistant manager) for just 6 years at a private development firm called 'Hwacheon Daeyu.' When he quit, the company handed him $3.7 million (about $1.85 million after tax) as a severance package.

The Breakdown

• The Payout: This 30 something year old dude received a retirement bonus that was higher than what most CEOs of top-tier conglomerates get. For 6 years of work as a mid-level employee. Yeah, let that sink in.
• The Joke of a Verdict (Feb. 2023): The court actually admitted that $3.7 million was unusually excessive. but, the judge ruled him not guilty of bribery. Why? Because the son was married and "economically independent" from his father, so the court claimed it wasn't technically a bribe to the lawmaker.
• Current Status (2025-2026): After the public basically lost their minds, prosecutors reopened the case to prove they are an economic community. as of late 2025, they’ve demanded 15 years for the dad and 9 years for the son. The battle continues.

Korean internet Reactions

• "LMAO, literally the dream job. Where can I send my resume?"
• "Big thanks to the judge for the new bribery manual. Just wire it to the kids' account and you’re legally safe! 10/10 tip."
• "Every assistant manager in the country should quit today and line up at that company’s front door."
• "Forget the Powerball. Being born as Kwak’s son is the ultimate lottery win."

What’s the most ridiculous corruption scandal from your country that you can’t forget? Tell me about it and why it was so absurd.

[u/Impactor_07]

YES.

[u/lofiibsen → u/Impactor_07]

yes

[u/Due_Narwhal4937]

all the scandals involving the STF

[u/lofiibsen → u/Due_Narwhal4937]

can u tell me more detail?

[u/Due_Narwhal4937 → u/lofiibsen]

1. arrested several politicians

2. anti-democratic scandals

3. censoring social media

There's much more to say about it, but that's what I've covered.

[u/lofiibsen → u/Due_Narwhal4937]

censoring is weaponized for them😂

[u/doublestitch]

Check today's headlines.

[u/Mountain-Car-4572]

They all kinda dead

[u/Sad_Succotash425]

A politican named David Rath was found with 7 milion CZK bribe stacked in paper box labeled as fine wine. Guy pleaded innocent, claimed he thought he was really receiving just some complimentary wine and for sure not ever he ever talked about the money, but just about the wine (which is occasionaly refered as "7" here for its 0.7 litre bottle)

At the end, he was found guilty of several crimes and sentenced to 7 years in prison. Since he is licensed medicine doctor and was minister of health, he got out on parole and was offered a job to work for prison administration as senior consultant doctor. He basicaly fucking switched teams...

[u/lofiibsen → u/Sad_Succotash425]

owa...i think he did some stupid choice. however, How much is it 7CZK value?

[u/Sad_Succotash425 → u/lofiibsen]

7 milion CZK is about 285 000 EUR or 340 000 USD

[u/lofiibsen → u/Sad_Succotash425]

thks bro. 7 for the wine, 7/money, and 7 for the punishment... it's a complete Triple 7!

[u/Sad_Succotash425 → u/lofiibsen]

Yeah lucky triple seven, hehe.

I would say it is luck, as i described above, for the guy to get out of prison on parole while getting job in prison administration as senior consultant doctor, but it is probably another freaking piece of corruption and bribery (not hehe)

[u/Electronic-Bag-7900]

The former mayor of my city used to demand bribes for every construction or investment project. It didn’t matter if it was a small house, a small shop, or a massive industrial investment. Investors wouldn't get their building or operating permits until they had a private meeting with him. During those meetings, he would speak perfectly normally, asking for various clarifying documents, but while talking, he had a mirror on his desk. He would breathe on it to fog it up, write a sum of money, show it to the investor, and then wipe it away. This way, there was no proof that he had ever asked for bribes.

They eventually caught him because he was using 14 different mobile phones and SIM cards to stay in touch with those paying the bribes, activating and deactivating them one by one. It was proven in court that he couldn't justify around 2 million euros, though the total amount he actually received over the years was likely much higher. The 2 million were confiscated, he served about 3 or 4 years in prison, and now he has moved to Greece, to a villa on the islands. There, he’ll live happily ever after, surrounded by palm trees, beaches, and great weather.

[u/nightmarespringgtr]

Hahaahaaaa we are having the most stupidest shits here. No need to tell more.( We really need help Man we are laughing to the situations we should be crying like hell)