Opposition, Ruling Party Criticize LH Special Investigation Proposal as "Diversion and Delay" Repeatedly

"Intent to Hold Out Until the Election... Cheongwadae Should Also Be Included in the Investigation"

Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader of the People Power Party

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The opposition party has criticized the government and ruling party for allegedly stalling on the introduction of a special investigation into real estate speculation, including suspicions involving the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH). The People Power Party has repeatedly demanded that the Blue House be included in the scope of the special investigation and the parliamentary audit.

On the 22nd, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at an emergency committee meeting, "Although the negotiation teams from both ruling and opposition parties are scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss the special investigation into the LH scandal, it is doubtful whether the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party truly have the will to root out speculative forces."

Floor leader Joo pointed out, "The suspicion that the reason for proposing the special investigation before the prosecution's investigation amid the LH scandal was merely to divert attention and buy time is increasingly becoming a reality."

He added, "There is no reason for the Blue House to be excluded from the investigation," and criticized, "There is no practical reason to prolong the investigation period like stretching a taffy when focusing on the current investigation is already insufficient."

Bae Jun-young, Spokesperson for the People Power Party [Image source=Yonhap News]

People Power Party spokesperson Bae Jun-young also said to reporters after the emergency committee meeting, "The sooner the special investigation is conducted, the better," and explained, "We are currently demanding both a Blue House special investigation and a parliamentary audit, and we hope the Democratic Party will accept this willingly."

On the same day, spokesperson Bae issued a statement pointing out that the Blue House Presidential Secretariat is refusing the special investigation and parliamentary audit. He said, "Over the weekend, additional suspicions were raised, such as the Blue House security staff’s ‘Jeonbuk LH Gwangmyeong expedition speculation’ and the Blue House secretary’s mother’s ‘ownership of farmland near Paju Central Valley’," adding, "What is certain is that the current ‘whack-a-mole’ style investigation is endless."

He emphasized the delay in the LH speculation investigation, saying, "Despite the shocking truth of LH-related corruption causing public outrage, the government seems intent on holding out until after the election at all costs," and stated, "While the government and ruling party are dithering over negotiations for the special investigation and parliamentary audit, LH employees worked overtime late into the night before the raid to destroy evidence."

Finally, he said, "The joint investigation team, which shows no will to resolve the issue, and the investigation that only makes noise without probing the Blue House-led anonymous transactions, cannot be trusted by the public," and stressed, "It is time for the Chief of the Presidential Secretariat to voluntarily accept the parliamentary audit and special investigation starting with the Blue House and show the determination to eradicate real estate corruption."

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