Public Outcry Over the 'LH Incident'... Minister → Deputy Prime Minister → Prime Minister 'Apologizes to the Nation'

The 10th Cabinet Meeting

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun apologized on the 9th, saying, "I bow my head and apologize to the people who must have felt disappointment and even betrayal due to the shocking news" regarding the land speculation allegations involving employees of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH). As public sentiment surged due to the LH incident, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Byeon Chang-heum, Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Hong Nam-ki, and now Prime Minister Chung have sequentially issued public apologies.

On the morning of the same day, Prime Minister Chung presided over a Cabinet meeting at the Government Complex Sejong and stated in his opening remarks, "The government will mobilize all its capabilities across ministries to thoroughly eradicate the illegal and unethical behaviors that have betrayed the expectations of all citizens." This marks the first time Prime Minister Chung has officially apologized in a public setting regarding this incident.

Prime Minister Chung said, "Since last week, investigations into allegations of speculation on new town sites using internal information from public institutions have been underway," adding, "We will conduct a thorough investigation to leave no doubt regarding all raised suspicions." He also ordered the expansion and reorganization of the special investigation team established at the National Police Agency’s National Investigation Headquarters the previous day into a 'Government Joint Special Investigation Headquarters,' including the National Tax Service and the Financial Services Commission.

Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "We will not tolerate any leniency toward illegal acts confirmed through this investigation and prosecution," and added, "If other illegal cases related to speculation are uncovered, they will also be dealt with strictly." Furthermore, he stated, "We will establish strict recurrence prevention measures such as restrictions on land transactions and recovery of unjust profits to ensure that acts trampling on the dreams and hopes of ordinary citizens cannot take root."

Meanwhile, at the Cabinet meeting that day, the promulgation bill for the 'Special Act for the Construction of Gadeokdo New Airport,' passed by the National Assembly last month, was submitted and approved. Prime Minister Chung said, "This special act, which defines the direction for promoting Gadeokdo New Airport and provides grounds for its swift construction, has achieved substantial progress in terms of national balanced development and conflict resolution," adding, "Since the special act was passed with special attention from the political circles and bipartisan agreement, the government will proceed with the construction of Gadeokdo New Airport without delay so that it can serve as a stepping stone for the re-leap of the Southeast region including Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam."

(From left) Kim Dae-ji, Commissioner of the National Tax Service; Koo Yoon-chul, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination; Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister; Byun Chang-heum, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Lee Jae-young, Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety [Image source=Yonhap News]

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