[2021 National Audit] Jeon Hyun-hee, Chair of the Anti-Corruption Commission, "Investigation upon Report on Kim Man-bae's Possible Violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act"

Answer to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Audit by the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee on the 12th
"A Different Matter" Regarding the Request for Investigation of Internal Closure Cases

Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hee of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission reporting on duties during the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 12th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, stated on the 12th regarding whether Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management (Hwacheon Daeyu), a key figure in the Daejang-dong development lobbying and preferential treatment allegations, violated the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, "Under current law, the Commission does not have the authority to conduct investigations on its own initiative."

Kang Min-guk, a member of the People Power Party, pointed out during the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee's audit of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission that "Until the end of August, Mr. Kim was an economic newspaper deputy editor and, as a journalist, formed a team with legal professionals and others to participate in regional development projects, earning astronomical dividend profits," adding, "This is a clear violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, yet the Commission has not taken any prosecution action."

In response, Chairperson Jeon said that an investigation on its own initiative is impossible and stated, "If a report is filed, we will handle it according to laws and regulations."

When Kang asked again, "This is a clear violation, but you are standing by," Chairperson Jeon replied, "I agree with the criticism. It seems there are some shortcomings in the law."

Regarding the People Power Party lawmaker Kim Hee-gon's remark that "a corruption investigation is needed for Seongnam City and Seongnam Development Corporation," Chairperson Jeon distanced herself by saying, "If a report is received, we can verify whether there is a violation, but as far as I know, no report related to this matter has been filed yet."

Concerning the police investigation request in May about corruption allegations related to the Daejang-dong development, which was closed without further action, she said, "Due to reasons such as protection of whistleblowers under relevant laws, it is difficult to respond. It seems to be a somewhat different matter from the issues currently reported in the media. It is an investigation with a slightly different focus."

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