Kim Hyun-ah, SH President Nominee, "Will Sell Two Houses in Busan... Apologizes for Comments on Era-Specific Privileges"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Kim Hyun-ah, the nominee for president of Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH), apologized for describing her ownership of multiple high-priced homes as "a kind of generational privilege."

On the 29th, Kim issued a statement saying, "The use of expressions that did not clearly convey my true intentions stemmed from my shortcomings," and added, "I sincerely apologize to the public who were hurt by my words."

She explained, "The Seoul apartment owned jointly with my husband and the 9-pyeong studio apartment in Busan are not real estate speculation for capital gains but are for actual residence," and continued, "The 3-pyeong commercial space in Seoul is where my mother, who is over seventy years old, makes a living, and the Busan officetel was purchased to be used as my husband's office space."

However, Kim also stated, "I agree with the opinion that this position, responsible for housing welfare for the homeless and low-income citizens, is not suitable from the public's perspective, and I will sell the Busan apartment and officetel as soon as possible."

At the personnel hearing held at the Seoul Metropolitan Council on the 27th, when asked about owning multiple homes, she said, "For someone of my generation, it was easier to own a home than it is now, and as housing prices rose, my assets increased, which was a kind of generational privilege."

The Seoul Metropolitan Council has passed a personnel hearing report expressing the opinion that Kim is unfit to serve as president of SH Corporation.

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