Police Conduct Search and Seizure at Office of Hanam City Council Member Over Speculation Allegations (Update)

Hanam Gyosan District area. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police have launched a forced investigation into a member of the Hanam City Council who is suspected of speculating in the Gyosan New Town area of Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, under his mother's name.

The Special Investigation Unit for Real Estate Speculation Crimes of the Southern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency has been conducting a search and seizure of Councilor A's office and residence in Hanam since 10:15 a.m. on the 23rd.

Councilor A's mother purchased four plots of land totaling 3,509㎡ in Cheonhyeon-dong, Hanam, from April to October 2017. After the land was incorporated into Gyosan New Town, she received compensation and made a profit of about twice the amount.

The police reportedly initiated the search and seizure to investigate whether Councilor A was involved in any illegal activities during this process.

Earlier, Hanam City conducted an on-site investigation of four plots totaling 2,477㎡ in Cheonhyeon-dong registered under Councilor A's husband's name and confirmed illegal land use changes. The city reported the case to the police on suspicion of violating the Special Act on the Designation and Management of Development-Restricted Areas. The land in question is greenbelt forest land that has been reclaimed and is being used as farmland.

Following the emergence of the allegations, Councilor A resigned from his affiliated political party.

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