Kim Eo-jun "I don't know who Yoon Hee-sook is angry at"

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun. Photo by TBS Radio, screenshot from 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 26th, broadcaster Kim Eo-jun pointed out that "Representative Yoon Hee-sook's explanation is not very convincing" as Yoon Hee-sook of the People Power Party declared her resignation from the National Assembly and her withdrawal from the presidential race amid allegations of illegal real estate activities involving her father.

On the same day, Kim said on his TBS radio show 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' "Representative Yoon has announced her resignation, but political evaluations are bound to be divided. (Between the ruling and opposition parties) political disputes are always happening, and issues of farmland law violations in politics are common, so I was going to just let it pass."

He continued, "If it had only been the resignation announcement, I would have let it go, but calling it 'opposition oppression' and 'guilt by association,' and the media reporting it as a 'masterstroke,' I cannot stay silent."

Earlier, Representative Yoon faced allegations of violating real estate laws (Farmland Act) following a full investigation of real estate transactions by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.

The Commission pointed out that Yoon's father purchased 10,871 square meters of farmland in Sejong City in May 2016, stating he would farm it himself, but instead entrusted it to someone else and received seven sacks of rice annually. Additionally, it was revealed during the Commission's on-site investigation that his address was moved from Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul to Sejong City only during the investigation, sparking controversy.

Yoon Hee-sook, a member of the People Power Party who has been implicated in illegal real estate-related allegations in an investigation by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, is answering reporters' questions after holding a press conference to announce her resignation from the National Assembly at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 25th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding this, Representative Yoon held a press conference at the National Assembly on the 25th and explained, "My father acquired the farmland in 2016 with the hope of spending the rest of his life farming, but due to my mother's sudden health deterioration, he entered into a lease contract through the Korea Rural Community Corporation."

She added, "Since I separated my family register 26 years ago when I got married, I have no knowledge of my father's economic activities, but considering his usual life of always worrying about and being cautious as the eldest son who is a public official, I believe he did not engage in illegal activities."

Kim commented on this, saying, "Representative Yoon's explanation is that she herself did not even know about the farmland purchase. Then, her father living in Dongdaemun bought the field for 1 billion won in the neighborhood where his daughter lived at the time, but kept it a secret from her," and criticized, "The explanation is not very convincing."

He added, "I would understand if they intended to farm together. Why is pointing out such an issue considered opposition oppression? Also, the media keeps reporting on 'Representative Yoon's anger,' but no one forced anyone to buy the land, so I don't know who she is angry at."

Meanwhile, despite the party's objections, Representative Yoon expressed her intention to resign from her position. However, even after the resignation announcement, she cannot immediately relinquish her seat. According to the National Assembly Act, during a session, resignation requires a secret ballot with a majority of the total members present and a majority vote in favor. When not in session, it requires the Speaker's approval.

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