Han Deok-su: "No Relation with Foreign Companies Renting Housing... Rental Income Reported Transparently"

Opposition raises conflict of interest suspicions with foreign companies renting home since 1989
Candidate Han states "No involvement in companies' interests"

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, nominated as the first Prime Minister candidate of the new government, is making his first commute on the morning of the 4th to the hearing preparation office set up at the Korea Productivity Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. 2022.4.4/News1

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] Han Duck-soo, the nominee for Prime Minister, denied allegations of a conflict of interest involving a foreign company that rented his residence, stating on the 7th, "I have never individually contacted or met with any representatives of the company," and "I have transparently reported rental income and paid taxes." On this day, Han made these remarks through the Prime Minister nominee's confirmation hearing preparation team.

Han stated, "I purchased a detached house in Gangbuk, Seoul, built in the 1960s, in 1989. After renting it out for 10 years, I have been residing there for 23 years since 1999," adding, "I have maintained ownership of only one house throughout my life."

He continued, "It is true that I rented the house to two foreign companies starting in 1989, but the selection of tenants and contract processes were entirely entrusted to a real estate agency," emphasizing, "The rental conditions, duration, and amount were based on nearby market prices, and I accepted the tenants' proposals following the real estate agent's recommendations. I did not gain any improper benefits."

Han is known to have rented his three-story house in Sinmunno 1-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul, to AT&T, a major American telecommunications company, and Mobil Oil Korea, a subsidiary of Mobil (now ExxonMobil), a U.S.-based global oil company, from 1989 to 1999.

This period coincides with Han's tenure in high-ranking positions such as Director at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Economic Secretary at the Blue House, leading some within the ruling party to raise suspicions that his official position may have led to private benefits.

Han stated, "I have never been involved in matters related to the interests of these companies during my official duties," and added, "I will provide a detailed explanation to the public during the confirmation hearing process."

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