Illegal Land Purchase in Land Transaction Permission Zone, Assemblyman Kim Kyung-hyup... First Trial Results in Loss of Assembly Seat

Former Minister Lee Sang-su, who sold land to Rep. Kim, also receives suspended sentence

Kim Kyung-hyup (60), a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was indicted on charges of illegally purchasing land within a land transaction permit zone, was sentenced to a penalty resulting in loss of his parliamentary seat in the first trial.

Judge Park Hyo-sun of the Criminal Division 1, Bucheon Branch of Incheon District Court, sentenced Kim, who was indicted for violating the Act on Reporting and Inspection of Real Estate Transactions, to 6 months in prison with a 2-year probation on the 19th during the sentencing hearing.

Additionally, Lee Sang-soo (76), former Minister of Labor, who was indicted on the same charges for selling the land to Kim, was sentenced to 4 months in prison with a 2-year probation.

Judge Park stated, "Although the defendants denied the charges, the evidence recognizes the purpose of avoiding obtaining land transaction permission," and judged that "the sales contract was made with the awareness that land transaction permission could not be obtained."

He continued, "The defendants acted contrary to the related laws aimed at establishing order in real estate transactions and the purpose of the land transaction permit system," and "considering the large amount of land involved in the transaction and the fact that the defendants, who are current and former members of the National Assembly, denied the crime and showed no remorse," explained the reason for sentencing.

If this ruling is finalized, Kim will lose his parliamentary seat. According to the National Assembly Act and the Public Official Election Act, a member of the National Assembly who is sentenced to imprisonment or higher (including suspended sentences) loses their eligibility to be elected and thus loses their seat.

Democratic Party of Korea Assemblyman Kim Kyung-hyup
Photo by Yonhap News

Kim was indicted without detention on charges of failing to obtain permission from Bucheon City when he signed a contract on May 19, 2020, to purchase 668㎡ of land in the land transaction permit zone in Yeokgok-dong, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, from former Minister Lee for 500 million won.

The land was designated as a public housing site in December 2019 and included in the compensation target. It is known that the compensation amount for the land Kim purchased for 500 million won was set at 1.1 billion won.

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