Byeon Chang-heum Apologizes to Those Hurt by Controversial Remarks During SH President Tenure

Statement Through Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: "As a Public Office Candidate, I Will Reflect More Deeply and Act More Responsibly"

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport nominee Byeon Chang-heum is commuting to the Gwacheon Seoul Regional Land Management Office. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Candidate for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Byeon Chang-heum apologized after controversy arose over his inappropriate remarks referring to tenants of shared housing as 'poor people' during his tenure as president of the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH).

On the afternoon of the 18th, Candidate Byeon issued a statement through the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport titled "Apology Regarding Remarks Made During Tenure as SH President," saying, "I sincerely apologize for causing concern to the public due to remarks I made four years ago while serving as SH president," and "I especially offer my heartfelt apologies to those who were hurt by my words."

Earlier, opposition party lawmakers revealed meeting minutes from Candidate Byeon's time as SH president, exposing his inappropriate remarks that belittled tenants of shared housing. According to SH Corporation meeting minutes disclosed by Kim Eun-hye, a member of the People Power Party, during a 2016 discussion on the shared housing project, Candidate Byeon said in a conversation about the 'communal dining hall,' "Poor people cook their meals at home; who in their right mind would buy food? Isn't that right?"

Candidate Byeon also said, "Even if the (shared housing) design is good, if you select tenants in the usual order of poorest first and put six strangers together, it drives people crazy." Regarding the Guui Station accident at the time, he said, "An employee of a company commissioned by the Seoul Metro, a Seoul city affiliate, died due to a mistake," and added, "If he (the victim) had been a little more careful, nothing would have happened."

In closing his apology, Candidate Byeon added, "As a public office candidate, I will reflect more deeply and act with greater responsibility going forward."

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