"Ministry of National Defense Passive on Speculation Issue"... Ministry of National Defense "Investigation to Begin Soon"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The Ministry of National Defense is expected to soon begin an investigation to independently identify cases suspected of 'speculation' using internal military information.

On the 22nd, Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Bu Seung-chan stated at a regular briefing regarding the full-scale survey of land transactions within the military, "We are reviewing measures related to the investigation of speculation suspicions and are at a certain final stage," adding, "We are in the process of sufficiently preparing (the investigation measures)."

The specific investigation method was not explained. It is reported that the Ministry of National Defense is currently internally discussing the scope of subjects, timing, and target lands for the investigation.

Accordingly, it is anticipated that the full-scale survey method will be announced as early as this week.

In the case of the Ministry of National Defense, concerns have been raised that the investigation should be expanded to the entire military after suspicions surfaced that civilian employee A, working at the Defense Facilities Headquarters, and their family members conducted land transactions with prior knowledge of internal military information. Regarding civilian employee A, who is under suspicion, it is alleged that before the announcement of the Goyang Changneung New Town, they purchased land near the 30th Division in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, included in the new town site, under family names, and that A’s spouse conducted so-called 'split purchases' of land in the area before the opening of the Seoul-Munsan Expressway. A prosecution investigation is currently underway.

Relatedly, People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung held a press conference at the National Assembly this morning, stating, "The Ministry of National Defense is very passive regarding the issue of real estate speculation within the military," and pointed out, "Because it is difficult for outsiders to investigate, the Ministry of National Defense must conduct a full-scale internal investigation to actually begin the investigation, which is a unique characteristic."

However, concerns have also been raised that the investigation may be 'half-hearted' because, for public officials of grade 1 or higher whose assets are disclosed, it is difficult to check real estate transaction details without the consent to use personal information from those not subject to asset disclosure, and in the case of family members who are not military personnel, there are limitations under the Personal Information Protection Act in reviewing transaction details.

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