Why Did the Gwangju Seo-gu Council Member Register a Vinyl Greenhouse Address?

Current Address at Seogu Mareuk-dong Ammunition Depot Site...Suspicion of Compensation Consideration

Lease Contract Signed for 600㎡ of Jeonnam Land Used for Cultivation Over 10 Years

Rep. Yoon Explains "Address Registered Due to Floriculture

Yun Mo, a district council member of Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, has been embroiled in controversy over violating the Resident Registration Act for maintaining his registered residence as a vinyl greenhouse for over 10 years, while actually living in an apartment.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Yoon, a district council member of Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, has been embroiled in controversy for violating the Resident Registration Act by registering his residence as a vinyl greenhouse for over ten years, despite actually living in an apartment.

Moreover, the vinyl greenhouse in question is located in the military facility protection zone of the ammunition depot in Mareuk-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. Since compensation such as relocation costs can be received if the ammunition depot is moved, there are even criticisms that he has not changed his registered residence with this in mind.

According to data obtained by this paper on the 22nd, Yoon’s registered residence has been a farm built as a vinyl greenhouse in the flower complex of Mareuk-dong, Seo-gu, since October 31, 2011.

This place was where Councilman Yoon operated a farm before being elected as a district council member, and after his election, he has not been conducting display sales.

In fact, around 11 a.m. on the 18th, the entrance door was locked, and the interior visible through the door gap appeared as if it had not been in operation for a considerable period.

Unlike a typical farm, what could be seen through the window were withered branches and empty flowerpots.

As evidence that it is practically not inhabited, an A4 sheet of paper with the phrase “For registered mail delivery, please contact by mobile phone” and the councilman’s phone number was posted on the entrance door.

At the entrance gate of the farm operated by Yoon Mo, a member of the Gwangju Seo-gu Council, there is an A4-sized paper with the phrase "For registered mail delivery, please contact me by mobile phone," along with the council member's phone number.

A Mr. A, who operates a farm nearby, said, “Yoon used to do business there before becoming a council member,” and “I understand he no longer operates there and only takes orders by phone.”

The Resident Registration Act aims “to always clearly grasp the population dynamics such as residents’ residence relationships by registering residents, thereby enhancing the convenience of residents’ lives and properly handling administrative affairs.”

Any changes must be reported within 14 days from the date the change occurs.

The problem is that the registered residence is not the apartment where he actually lives, but this place, while Yoon is known to currently reside in an apartment in Geumho-dong, Seo-gu.

Legal experts also explain that if the registered residence and actual residence differ, it could be considered a violation of the Resident Registration Act.

A nearby resident criticized, “He was elected as a council member to represent the residents’ interests, but he seems only interested in personal gain,” and “Elected officials should set an example first.”

This place is contracted by Jeollanam-do through Onbid bidding for one year, with the possibility of renewing the contract for one year by private contract, and a new contract is signed every two years.

Councilman Yoon has had a lease contract for 600㎡ of land since 2009 for the purpose of “cultivation.” He renewed the contract again last year and currently pays about 1.76 million KRW annually as lease fees.

There are suspicions that continuously leasing the farm land, which is no longer used for display sales, from Jeollanam-do for cultivation purposes is also with the intention of compensation related to the ammunition depot relocation.

Regarding this, an expert explained that if the ammunition depot is relocated and the military facility protection zone in this area is lifted, the landowner Jeollanam-do may sell the land, and those who have used it for a long time could have an advantage in bidding.

In response, Councilman Yoon said, “When I started the flower business in 1992, I was told that I had to register the business at the same time, so I have registered the farm as my residence until now,” and “I have never once thought about compensation after the ammunition depot is relocated.”

He added, “I operated normally for 2 to 3 years after being elected as a district council member, but due to difficulties covering labor costs, I stopped display sales,” and “I switched to taking orders by phone and selling plants located at other farms.”

Regarding the lease purpose, he explained, “The flower complex has long conducted lease contracts for cultivation purposes,” and “Since I cultivate aquatic plants on about 50 pyeong out of approximately 200 pyeong of farm land, it is not a use outside the purpose.”

He also said, “Perennial plants cannot be planted in cultivation, but aquatic plants are generally considered annual plants,” and “Since they are inside the vinyl greenhouse, they just live longer.”

Relatedly, Jeollanam-do has also come under fire due to careless land management.

The province conducts on-site inspections every year at leased locations to check whether the land is used according to the lease purpose, whether there are illegal facilities, and whether subleasing has occurred (when the tenant leases the land to another party).

In fact, in July and August 2018, inspections were conducted in Mareuk-dong to check for subleasing, illegal facilities, and usage, and records and photos are known to exist.

However, considering that Councilman Yoon was not operating normally in 2018 as he explained, questions arise.

Also, last year’s inspection reportedly skipped the farm operated by Councilman Yoon because the door was locked and contact could not be made despite multiple visits.

Regarding this, a Jeollanam-do official explained, “It may be necessary to re-examine the category of perennial plants in cultivation,” and “Although it is called an on-site inspection, if the door is closed and the owner is absent, we cannot forcibly enter, so last year’s inspection was inevitably not properly conducted.”

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