Hong Jun-pyo "Mandatory Asset Declaration for All Public Officials? It Will Liberate Public Officials from Corruption"

Independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jumi Lee] Regarding the government's plan to expand 'public officials' asset registration' to eradicate real estate speculation, independent lawmaker Hong Jun-pyo claimed that it will "liberate public officials from corruption."

On the 31st, Hong stated on his Facebook, "Although the measure to expand asset disclosure for all public officials is belated, it is a desirable direction. I believe it will be an important opportunity to create dignified public officials," evaluating the plan as such.

He said, "The clue to the bribery charges against former Military Manpower Administration chief Eom Sam-tak, who was arrested in 1993 related to the slot machine incident, was discovered by tracing the acquisition process of real estate through public officials' asset disclosure," adding, "The high-ranking public officials' asset disclosure system implemented since that year was a revolutionary reform policy."

He further added, "(The asset disclosure system) became an important opportunity to prevent corruption in the high-ranking public official society and has been a regular subject of verification during confirmation hearings."

Regarding the investigation of lawmakers related to real estate speculation, he said, "The Democratic Party suggests that the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission conduct a full investigation of lawmakers, while the opposition party claims this is unfair," and argued, "If they are confident, which institution conducts it should not be a problem."

He continued, "Let all lawmakers first undergo an investigation by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission," and proposed, "Let everyone go up to the real estate guillotine and have their real estate transaction history verified throughout their public service career."

Earlier, on the 29th, the government announced a plan to significantly expand the scope of public officials' asset registration as part of the 'Measures to Eradicate Real Estate Speculation and Prevent Recurrence.' According to this, the obligation for public officials' asset registration, which was previously limited to grade 4 or higher public officials, heads and deputy heads of public enterprises, standing directors, and auditors, will be expanded to include grade 9 public officials and public institution employees.

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