Park Beom-gye "What Was the Prosecution Doing About the LH Suspicion 3 Years Ago?" vs Kim Do-eup "What Was the Moon Jae-in Government Doing?"

Minister Park: "It Would Have Been Better If the Prosecution Actively Responded When They Had Investigation Rights"
Assemblyman Kim: "Criticizing After 'Passing Over' the Prosecution"

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is attending an emergency meeting of related agencies convened to investigate allegations of speculation by employees of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) in the 3rd New Town project at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 10th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] A controversy over so-called 'prosecutorial responsibility' has erupted regarding allegations of land speculation by some employees of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) in the 3rd New Towns in Gwangmyeong and Siheung, Gyeonggi Province. When Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye criticized, asking "What did the prosecution do when the allegations surfaced three years ago?", the opposition party retorted, "What has the Moon Jae-in administration done over the past three years?"

On the 11th, Minister Park, in an interview with TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' was asked, "What do you think about media reports originating from the prosecution that the investigation was quickly concluded?" He explained, "The 3rd New Towns have been a topic since 2018," adding, "The reform of investigative authority between the prosecution and police was implemented on January 1 of this year, and real estate speculation has been a social issue for two to three years."

He continued, "I think it would have been better if the prosecution had actively responded when they had investigative authority," implying criticism that the prosecution did not conduct an active investigation when the speculation allegations first arose.

However, Minister Park emphasized the need for continuous cooperation between the prosecution and police regarding public officials' corruption, including the LH speculation allegations.

He stated, "If necessary, we will establish a consultative body between the Deputy Prosecutor General and the head of the National Police Agency," and emphasized, "The investigation into the LH speculation allegations will not end as a one-time event; going forward, we plan to continuously encourage all prosecutors' offices nationwide, including branch offices, to take the strictest and most sustained measures against public officials' corruption."

Kim Do-eup, Member of the People Power Party / Photo by Yonhap News

The opposition party immediately reacted against Minister Park's remarks.

Kim Do-eup, a member of the People Power Party, wrote on his Facebook on the same day, "As the LH employee land speculation case sparked public outrage, Minister Park Beom-gye absurdly shifted the blame to the 'prosecution,'" and questioned, "If Minister Park's claim is true, what exactly has the Moon Jae-in administration been doing for the past three years?"

He added, "In past new town speculation cases, the prosecution led large-scale investigations, but in this LH employee land speculation case, the prosecution, which has experience and know-how, was 'passed over' and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport was entrusted with a 'self-investigation.' Who is responsible for this?" He criticized, "This is the height of shamelessness, refusing to admit their own mistakes."

He further stated, "Before spouting such sophistry, Minister Park should properly respond in writing regarding the LH employee land speculation allegations," and pointed out, "On the 8th, I requested the Ministry of Justice to answer whether the Minister of Justice plans to exercise investigative supervision, but there has been no response so far."

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