Disclosure of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Document on 'Baekhyun-dong Allegations'... No Compulsory Measures

Rep. Park Jeong-ha of the People Power Party, Inquiry and Official Response Letter on Baekhyeon-dong Land Use Change Revealed

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is talking with lawmaker Ko Min-jung at the opening ceremony of the regular National Assembly session held on the 1st./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) official document containing content contradicting the explanation given by Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding the preferential development allegations of Baekhyeon-dong during his tenure as mayor of Seongnam was disclosed on the 2nd.

According to materials received by Park Jeong-ha, a member of the People Power Party, from MOLIT on the same day, on November 17, 2014, Seongnam City in an official letter to MOLIT inquired whether the matter could be considered as a request by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport under Article 43, Paragraphs 3 to 6 of the Special Act on the Construction and Support of Innovation Cities due to the relocation of public institutions (the Innovation City Special Act). This was to confirm whether MOLIT's request for cooperation regarding Baekhyeon-dong had any binding force. MOLIT clearly stated "No" in its reply letter.

Seongnam City also asked whether it was possible to change the land use to residential areas according to the request of the Korea Food Research Institute despite conflicting with the upper-level plan. MOLIT responded, "It is judged that land use zone changes may be possible, but considering that the urban and county basic plans are policy plans indicating the future development direction of the city, it is a matter for your city to make an appropriate judgment."

Earlier, when allegations of preferential development in Baekhyeon-dong arose during the Gyeonggi Province audit in October last year, Lee explained that "MOLIT threatened us" and "we had no choice but to comply according to the Special Act on the Relocation of Public Institutions."

The prosecution has notified Lee of a summons on the previous day on charges of making false statements regarding the Baekhyeon-dong allegations.

Park said, "Concerns about the judicial risks of the opposition party leader are becoming a reality," and added, "Now that this document has been confirmed today, I hope there will be no unreasonable remarks from the Democratic Party to defend the leader in the future."

Park Jeong-ha, Member of the People Power Party (Photo by Yonhap News)

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