Investigation into Alleged Favoritism for Jeon Bong-min's Family, Former Busan Seo-gu Mayor Park Geuk-je Summoned for Questioning

Busan Police Agency "Investigated Responsible Officials Regarding Ultra-High-Rise Apartment Project Permit Investigation"

People Power Party lawmaker Jeon Bong-min is bowing his head in apology at a press conference for leaving the party held at the National Assembly Communication Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, at the end of last year. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] It has been confirmed that the police investigating allegations of preferential treatment in the Busan super high-rise apartment project and corruption suspicions involving Assemblyman Jeon Bong-min (Independent) and his family have summoned former Busan Seo-gu Mayor Park Geuk-je and the responsible public officials for questioning.

According to the Busan Police Agency on the 3rd, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit recently summoned former Mayor Park (currently the representative of the Joint Fish Market) twice for questioning.

In addition to former Mayor Park, the police also investigated two public officials responsible for the apartment project permits handled by Assemblyman Jeon's family and conducted account tracing.

Former Mayor Park was reportedly investigated on whether he abused his authority by exerting undue influence during the selection process of the 69-story apartment project, Hillstate Ijin Bay City, located in front of Songdo Beach in Seo-gu, Busan.

Former Mayor Park has completely denied the allegations, emphasizing that he never gave any improper instructions regarding the scale or scope of the development.

The police stated, "As the investigation is ongoing, we cannot confirm any details."

It is known that the police investigated former Mayor Park and others while receiving and examining petitions regarding corruption allegations involving Assemblyman Jeon's family.

At the end of last year, allegations of preferential treatment surfaced through the media and civic groups concerning the entire Ijin Bay City project, in which a company operated by the former National Assembly member's family participated as the developer.

Ijin Bay City is a project to develop three 69-story residential-commercial complex buildings (1,368 households) and a 4-star hotel on the former Hanjin landfill site in front of Songdo Beach.

The project sparked controversy due to a district unit plan change that increased the residential ratio from the original 50% to 80%. Allegations of collusion with Busan city officials were also raised.

The controversy intensified when it was revealed that Jeon Gwang-soo, chairman of Ijin General Construction and father of Assemblyman Jeon, attempted to offer money to suppress media coverage.

Assemblyman Jeon left the People Power Party and became an independent due to this incident.

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