Investigation into Speculation Allegations Targeting High-Ranking Officials, Including Current and Former Senior Public Servants and Members of the National Assembly

Former Happy City Chief Raided
First Forced Investigation of High-Ranking Official
Preliminary Probe into Lawmaker's Allegations Started
"No Sanctuary Regardless of Rank"

National Police Agency and National Investigation Headquarters building. (Photo by National Police Agency)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The government joint special investigation headquarters (Special Investigation Headquarters, SIH) investigating real estate speculation allegations triggered by Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) is now turning its focus toward high-ranking officials. The Serious Crime Investigation Division of the National Police Agency’s Criminal Investigation Headquarters (NPA CIH), known as the police’s 'sharpest blade,' is directly conducting investigations, and forced investigations into lawmakers and current and former high-ranking public officials are expected to expand.

According to the police on the 27th, the SIH conducted search and seizure operations at four locations starting from 10 a.m. the previous day, including the Administrative City Construction Agency (ACCA), Sejong City Hall, LH Sejong Headquarters, and the residence of former ACCA head A, in connection with speculation allegations against A, the former head of the Administrative City Construction Agency. The ACCA head oversees the construction of Sejong City and is classified at the vice-ministerial level. This search and seizure by the SIH marks the first forced investigation targeting a high-ranking official.

During his tenure, in late April 2017, A purchased two plots of land (2,455㎡) in Nulwang-ri, Yeongi-myeon, Sejong City, under his wife’s name. The official land price at that time was 107,000 KRW per square meter in January 2017, which rose by about 43% to 154,000 KRW three years later. Additionally, after his retirement, at the end of November 2017, he acquired a 622㎡ plot of land in Bongam-ri, Yeonseo-myeon, Sejong City, along with a lightweight steel structure on the site. Speculation allegations arose because the nearby Wachon and Budong-ri areas were designated as candidate sites for the Sejong Smart National Industrial Complex.

Notably, the search and seizure related to A was conducted by the NPA CIH Serious Crime Investigation Division rather than the provincial police agency. Considering A’s status as a former high-ranking official, the NPA CIH took direct charge of the investigation. Earlier, Choi Seung-ryeol, head of the NPA CIH Investigation Bureau, emphasized, "We will meticulously handle and closely scrutinize each case involving high-ranking public officials."

As of the 24th of this month, the SIH’s internal and external investigation targets include 85 public officials. Among them are three lawmakers, 19 local council members, and two current or former high-ranking public officials.

The SIH is also examining the facts regarding speculation allegations against Yang Hyang-ja, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea. The civic group Legal Action for Establishing the Rule of Law (Law Solidarity) filed a complaint with the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office on the 12th, which was transferred to the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency. A SIH official stated, "We are reviewing the contents of the complaint."

Furthermore, the SIH summoned a Law Solidarity official who raised speculation allegations against Seo Young-seok, a Democratic Party lawmaker, as a complainant for investigation. Previously, investigations focused on current and former LH employees and local government officials, but now the investigation into high-ranking officials is accelerating. The SIH has not ruled out the possibility of search and seizure operations targeting incumbent lawmakers if necessary for the investigation.

The SIH has repeatedly emphasized that if it is confirmed that public officials used internal information for speculation, they will be subject to arrest and strict investigation as a principle. At a nationwide police command video conference held yesterday, Police Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong ordered, "Regardless of status or rank, conduct strict investigations without exception according to law and principles, and take all measures such as applying for confiscation and recovery of lands and assets acquired through speculation to reclaim unjust profits."

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