'Real Estate Suspicion' Rep. Kim Eui-gyeom: "Anti-Corruption Commission Should Disclose Details of Alleged Misuse of Official Secrets"

Rep. Kim Expresses Desire for Thorough and Prompt Investigation by the Investigation Headquarters

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] On the 23rd, Kim Euigyeom, a member of the Open Democratic Party, demanded the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) to disclose related information regarding the suspicion of 'using confidential information in the course of duty' raised in the ACRC's full-scale real estate investigation.

On the same day, Representative Kim stated in a press release, "I can accept criticism that a public official recklessly borrowed money to buy a house, but the claim that I used undisclosed information based on my public office is absolutely not true," and added, "I request the ACRC to disclose what secrets I obtained while working as the Blue House spokesperson and what suspicions there are."

Earlier, in July 2018, when the government was emphasizing measures to eradicate real estate speculation, Kim purchased a commercial-residential building in Heukseok-dong, Seoul, for 2.57 billion won. This led to controversy over double standards, and he resigned from his position as the Blue House spokesperson.

Representative Kim argued that the suspicion of using confidential information in the course of duty, as judged by the ACRC, is not true. He said, "The Heukseok Redevelopment Zone 9 received project implementation approval in June 2017, and Lotte Construction was selected as the contractor in May 2018. I purchased the real estate two months later, in July," and rebutted, "Just by searching for articles that Lotte Construction was selected as the contractor, over 60 articles appeared within two days after the contractor selection. How could I have purchased using undisclosed information?"

He further explained, "Using confidential information in the course of duty means buying real estate with information that no one knows before the district designation or project implementation approval, right? It was a property that anyone could buy." He also attached the 'Democratic Party Public Office Candidate Verification Committee On-site Investigation Team Investigation Result Report,' which included a no-charge decision he received during the Democratic Party nomination process in last year's general election, to his statement, saying, "I sincerely submitted the materials to the ACRC, so I cannot understand this conclusion."

However, Representative Kim said, "I will not avoid it," and expressed, "I expect a thorough and prompt investigation by the investigation headquarters." He apologized, saying, "I apologize for causing concern to the public again due to past real estate issues," and added, "I will fully comply with the party's decision."

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