Ruling and opposition parties' National Assembly Science and ICT Committee members engage in tense exchanges over allegations of Hansanghyeok violating the Farmland Act in reports

Chairman Han Sang-hyuk of the Korea Communications Commission Suspected of Violating Farmland Act
Ruling and Opposition Members of the National Assembly's Science and ICT Committee Clash

Hansanghyuk, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, is attending the meeting of the Special Committee on Media System Improvement held at the National Assembly on November 25 last year, delivering a work report. Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Members of the ruling and opposition parties on the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee clashed over allegations of farmland law violations against Han Sang-hyuk, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, raised by some media outlets. While the ruling party members from the People Power Party demanded "an apology and resignation," opposition members from the Democratic Party countered, calling it "the beginning of a conspiracy to seize control of broadcasting."

"Farmland Law Violation Allegations" VS "Broadcasting Seizure Conspiracy"

On the 16th, according to sources from the National Assembly and the industry, People Power Party committee members, including Secretary Park Sung-joong, held a press conference asserting, "Han Sang-hyuk, Chairman of the KCC, who is suspected of violating the Farmland Act, must take responsibility as a public official and resign immediately."

The People Power Party committee members raised their voices, saying, "According to the reports, illegal facilities such as a two-story structure, terrace, parking lot, access road and pedestrian path, metal fence, and solar lighting equipment were installed on farmland where only agricultural sheds are allowed. It was nothing less than a villa where barbecue parties could be held, not just an agricultural shed."

On the other hand, Democratic Party committee members argued, "Just a month after the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, a conspiracy reminiscent of the broadcasting control attempts during the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations is beginning. They are trying to sway public opinion with allegations of farmland law violations and are attacking the broadcasting industry, which requires neutrality, with partisan logic, calling it leftist."

They also requested Chairman Han, "No matter what pressure, persuasion, or threats to resign may come, we ask that you carry out your duties faithfully according to the law and principles without the slightest wavering."

Han Sang-hyuk: "Inherited from late father... Third younger brother is managing under consignment"

Regarding this, Chairman Han stated, "The farmland and paddy field located in Deokmyeong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, were jointly inherited from my late father in January 2020 (a total of five including my siblings). The land is currently managed under consignment by my third younger brother, who resides in Daejeon and is capable of farming, having obtained a farming registration."

He added, "The agricultural shed mentioned in the article was installed by my late father in compliance with standards, with a total floor area of 18m2 (approximately 5.5 pyeong), and was reported to the local district office in 2018 in accordance with farmland laws. Since inheriting the agricultural shed from my late father, there have been no changes to the facilities."

Chosun.com reported the previous day that the agricultural shed on the land owned by Chairman Han and his siblings in Daejeon was built as a two-story structure with an access road, raising suspicions of farmland law violations.

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