Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (second from left) bows his head and apologizes for allegations of speculation by employees of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) at a general meeting of the Land Transport Commission held at the National Assembly on the 9th. News 1
On the 9th, the ruling and opposition parties called the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Byun Chang-heum to the National Assembly regarding the allegations of land speculation by employees of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), asking about the responsibility and measures to prevent recurrence. Minister Byeon, the former president of LH and the head of the ministry, bowed his head and apologized throughout the inquiry on the day. However, he did not respond to the opposition lawmakers’ request to resign. However, he said, “I will assume the position of minister” in order to regain the trust of the people lost in this situation.
Apology throughout the question of the National Assembly National Land Committee
On that day, the ruling and opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly’s National Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee inquired about pending issues, urged Minister Byun to conduct a thorough investigation, including a car name transaction. Jin Seong-jun, a member of the Democratic Party, pointed out that “we need to investigate all land owners in the planned housing site development districts such as the 3rd new town.” Rep. Kim Hee-guk also said, “Isn’t it necessary to only shoot horror bullets and play?” and said, “We should investigate the accounts of the family members and relatives of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and investigate regardless of whether the Blue House, members of the National Assembly, and opposition aides.” Minister Byeon responded, “Currently, the Financial Supervisory Service and the National Tax Service are participating in an investigation together to understand the transaction details of relatives and acquaintances related to public officials. We will propose to the government to expand the investigation as a whole.”
The ruling and opposition lawmakers stressed the need to be followed by strong punishment as well as grasping the facts of speculation suspects. In particular, whether or not to recover unfair profits for LH executives and employees who are already suspicious of speculation has been raised on the cutting board. Regarding this, Minister Byeon said, “We need to enact a special law so that public officials who speculate using internal information cannot enjoy market price margins,” he said. “It is necessary to review retrospective application so that it can be applied to retirees as well.” There are strict penalties for gaining profits by utilizing the secret information of LH. In this regard, he replied, “In this regard, we will mobilize all of the internal regulations of LH to recover the unfair profits.”
However, Rep. Kim Hee-guk said, “According to the current law, punishment is not that simple.” This time, the speculative parties have not yet been compensated for the land or executed any gains through the sale.”
Sang-Jung Shim “What more to expect from the insensitive Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport”
At the meeting that day, Minister Byeon bowed his head several times, saying, “I sincerely feel deeply in my heart and apologize to the people for the unpleasant thing that happened.” But in the process of answering, Minister Byeon said, “While serving as president of LH, a public corporation There was also a criticism that he said that the reason for the existence of’transparency and integrity was endlessly and made a lot of effort.’
Opposition lawmakers, seemingly desperate, urged Minister Byeon to resign. Justice Party lawmaker Shim Sang-jeong said, “What more would you expect from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, who are not able to properly measure public sentiment and are so insensitive to speculation? Rep. Song Seok-joon of the People’s Power also pressured, saying, “I hear the demands of’minister, please step back’ here and there.” Minister Byeon avoided an immediate answer to this.
Hyunbin Kim reporter [email protected]
Jaeyeon Park reporter [email protected]
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