'74 Days Since Inauguration' Byun Chang-heum: "Not Attached to Position... Will Accept Decision"

LH Takes Full Responsibility for Rebirth and Promotion
Won't Cling to Position if Role Is Insufficient
Calls for Dismissal Even Within Democratic Party... 74 Days Since Appointment

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Byeon Chang-heum is speaking at the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] On the 12th, Byeon Chang-heum, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, responded to calls for his dismissal related to the speculation allegations involving employees of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) in new town land by saying, "I will abide by (the Blue House's) decision."

At the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee on the same day, Minister Byeon stated, "I will do my best to create alternatives to alleviate the public's concerns caused by the LH incident and take full responsibility to fundamentally reform LH."

He added, "If it is judged that I have not fulfilled this role sufficiently, I will not cling to my position and will abide by any decision at any time."

This is interpreted as his intention to make every effort to prevent a recurrence of such incidents and to step down from his ministerial post if he must take responsibility.

Minister Byeon took office as the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on December 29 of last year and has been serving for 74 days as of this day.

As suspicions spread that some employees purchased land in the Gwangmyeong-Siheung district and other areas of the 3rd new town during the time Minister Byeon was president of LH, calls for his accountability have increased.

Among the 20 LH employees suspected of pre-speculation in the 3rd new town announced by the government joint investigation team the day before, 11 were found to have purchased land during Minister Byeon's tenure as LH president.

On the 9th, during an emergency briefing at the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, Minister Byeon admitted responsibility, saying, "I feel empty that this happened due to my lack of supervision," and "Now that I am at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, I am in a position to manage such institutions, so I bear double responsibility."

However, when asked by Kim Eun-hye, a member of the People Power Party, whether he had expressed his resignation to the president, Minister Byeon replied, "Not yet." When asked if he intended to resign, he said, "I will make a judgment considering various factors."

As public anger over the LH employees' land speculation allegations grows, voices within the ruling party are also calling for Minister Byeon to take responsibility.

Lee Nak-yeon, Standing Election Committee Chairman, after holding a meeting with merchants at Gwangjang Market in Jongno-gu, Seoul, indirectly pressured regarding the dismissal by saying, "I firmly believe Minister Byeon is not someone who clings to his position."

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, while announcing the results of the first government joint full investigation the day before, said, "Minister Byeon cannot be free from responsibility," and "(Regarding his position) we will consider carefully."

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