"Tail Cutting? Resign" Hwang Bo-seung-hee Criticizes Jeon Hae-cheol's Close Associate Over Real Estate Speculation Allegations

Hwang Bo-seung-hee, a member of the People Power Party, is questioning Jeong Jae-hoon, President of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, during the comprehensive audit of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee held at the National Assembly on October 23 last year.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Hwang Bo-seunghee, a member of the People Power Party, has called for the resignation of Jeon Hae-cheol, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, amid allegations of real estate speculation involving Jeon's close associates.

On the 17th, Representative Hwang posted on her Facebook, stating, "It has been revealed that a close associate of Minister Jeon engaged in land speculation in the 3rd New Town," and added, "The wife of Minister Jeon's aide purchased land in Jangsang-dong, Ansan, by taking out a loan of over 200 million won from Nonghyup one month before the land was designated as part of the 3rd New Town."

She said, "The land in question is a development-restricted area and even has a transmission tower nearby, making it difficult to trade," and claimed, "Purchasing such land with 70% of the purchase price financed by a loan is a typical case of land speculation using insider information about the new town development."

She continued, "The aide was dismissed on the 9th, coincidentally the same day the police raided the LH headquarters," and pointed out, "It is hard to see this as a mere coincidence. There is a high likelihood that Minister Jeon tried to cover it up."

Referring to President Moon Jae-in's national apology on the 15th regarding the eradication of real estate corruption, she said, "On that day, the President declared, 'We will eradicate real estate corruption with firm will and determination,'" and criticized, "An apology should not remain just words. An apology without action is nothing but a play on words."

She added, "It is a conflict of interest for Minister Jeon to continue serving as the Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the superior agency of the joint police investigation headquarters, while his closest aide is under investigation for real estate speculation," and pointed out, "Moreover, it is a disqualifying reason for him to continue in public office despite the responsibility for poor supervision of his close associate."

Meanwhile, Minister Jeon, who attended the full meeting of the Administrative Safety Committee that day, said regarding the real estate speculation allegations against his regional aide, "The party is investigating," and added, "It is difficult for me to know whether it is speculation or not." He also stated, "We will take strict measures according to the investigation results."

Earlier, on the 15th, Minister Jeon's side stated, "On March 9th, the regional aide expressed a desire to take a break due to health reasons and was dismissed," and criticized, "The rumor that one of the aides was dismissed due to the 3rd New Town land speculation issue is 'malicious fake news.'"

They added, "It cannot be concluded that the real estate purchase was for speculative purposes using development information, and since the relevant facts have already been fully reported to the party, we intend to comply with the party's disposition."

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