Lee Jun-seok, on Father's Alleged Violation of Farmland Act: "I Had No Knowledge of Farmland Ownership"

People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok is waiting for the start of the Kwanhun Debate held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 3rd. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] Allegations have been raised that the father of Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, violated the Farmland Act by not cultivating farmland he had owned for 17 years.

According to an SBS report on the 3rd, Lee’s father purchased a 2,023㎡ field in Sagye-ri, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju, in January 2004, but neither farmed it himself nor entrusted it to others for farming.

Mr. Lee’s father stated to SBS reporters that he bought the farmland for 160 million KRW on the recommendation of a high school classmate and held it with the intention of building a country house after retirement.

However, Lee Jun-seok claimed that he was not even aware of his father’s farmland ownership. He explained, “At the time of purchase, I was a minor just before turning 18 and was studying abroad in the United States. Until recently, I had no opportunity to know the detailed property information, so I was completely unaware.”

Meanwhile, on the 23rd of last month, when the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission revealed allegations that 12 members of the People Power Party and their families were involved in real estate speculation, Lee Jun-seok urged six party members to leave the party the following day.

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