[2020 National Audit] Minister Kim Hyun-soo on Presidential Residence Controversy: "Local Governments Should Decide"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jung] When controversy arose at the National Assembly audit over whether the purchase of the residence site of President Moon Jae-in, located in Maegok-dong, Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam, violated the Farmland Act, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Kim Hyun-soo drew a line by saying, "It is a matter for the local government to decide."

On the 7th, during the audit of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs by the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Byung-gil questioned the background, stating that the president's residence was approved despite not meeting the qualifications. The land purchased by President Moon is farmland, and since the president is currently not cultivating it, it is pointed out as a violation of the Farmland Act. The essence of Ahn's claim is that the farmland acquisition qualification certificate (Nongchwijung) issued to President Moon for acquiring the residence was granted despite objectively not meeting the qualifications.

Regarding this, Minister Kim explained, "(The issuance of the Nongchwijung) is a matter for the local government to decide, which is their inherent duty," adding, "It is not a matter to express a personal opinion." He further elaborated, "We have not confirmed that the land purchase violated the Farmland Act, and the Blue House briefed that cultivation is ongoing," and added, "It is inappropriate to make presumptive statements without detailed knowledge of how many times the president has visited and how much farming has been done."

He also explained that the farmland utilization survey investigating violations of the Farmland Act is not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. He emphasized, "A large-scale farmland utilization survey is conducted annually, and if violations are detected, disposal orders are issued," but "it is appropriate for the mayor of Yangsan to take follow-up measures."

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