Hong Nam-ki: "LH Scandal, Public Officials' Speculation Undermines Social Fairness... Public Service Must Embrace Integrity Spirit"

Encouragement for Outstanding Contributors in Collecting Hidden Assets from High-Amount Tax Delinquents... Awarding Yu Cheok

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, referred to allegations of land speculation by some officials of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), saying, "It is heartbreaking to witness cases that undermine social fairness," and emphasized on the 22nd, "The public service must engrave the spirit of 'Gongnyeom (公廉)' in their hearts and carry out their duties."

Deputy Prime Minister Hong made these remarks at a gathering held in the afternoon at the Sejong Government Complex to encourage officials who contributed to realizing fair taxation through investigations tracking hidden assets of high-amount tax delinquents. Eight officials attended, including those responsible for tax collection at the National Tax Service and Seoul city tax collection officials. Hong listened to suggestions for improving work processes and awarded the symbol of Gongnyeom, the Yucheok.

Hong said, "As seen in the recent LH incident, it is regrettable and heartbreaking to witness public officials, who should lead by example, engaging in illegal, irregular, and unfair real estate speculation that damages the fairness of our society." He introduced a passage from Dasan Jeong Yak-yong’s book Mokminsimseo, which states that public officials (Mokmingwan) must practice Gongnyeom. He added, "Public officials must be fair in handling all matters and always maintain integrity toward themselves," emphasizing, "The public service must once again regain the trust of the people by engraving the spirit of 'Gongnyeom' in their hearts and unwaveringly performing their assigned duties."

Earlier, he presented the attendees with the 'Yucheok,' a symbol of fairness and equity. The Yucheok is a bronze measuring rod about 25 cm long with marked scales, carried by secret royal inspectors (Amhaeng-eosa) during the Joseon Dynasty along with their official badges (Mapa). It was used as a standard measure for collecting and distributing rice for public relief and to identify and severely punish corrupt officials. Deputy Prime Minister Hong explained that it was awarded on this day as a symbol of the assets that tax officials of the National Tax Service and local governments, who collect taxes from the people, should possess.

He stated, "Despite unprecedented difficulties such as the spread of COVID-19, the majority of citizens have faithfully fulfilled their tax obligations. However, some habitual high-amount tax delinquents, despite having sufficient capacity to pay taxes, deliberately and intelligently conceal assets and evade taxes, even taking tax delinquency for granted, thereby undermining the core value of fairness in our society." He urged, "To protect the value of fairness from such unfair and inequitable acts, the roles and efforts of frontline officials at the National Tax Service and local governments are truly important."

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