Yeo Urges Suspension of Auction for Incheon Jeonse Fraud Housing...Raises Suspicions of Behind-the-Scenes Involvement

The People Power Party urged the suspension of the auction of the relevant housing in connection with the series of extreme choices made by victims of the Incheon jeonse fraud case. They also raised suspicions that a prominent politician from the Democratic Party of Korea was involved behind the jeonse fraud.

On the 18th, Park Dae-chul, the policy chief of the People Power Party, stated at a floor negotiation meeting held at the National Assembly, "The government has established and implemented 22 measures against jeonse fraud in four rounds, but it is regrettable that they have not been able to properly assist the people," adding, "We will prepare measures to help the victims."

The day before, a victim who failed to recover a jeonse deposit of 90 million won from the so-called 'Construction King' was found dead in an apartment in Michuhol-gu, Incheon. This is the third case of a victim dying from jeonse fraud in Incheon.

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the floor countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly on the 18th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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Park, the policy chief, said, "The victims are demanding the suspension of the auction and the right of first refusal. Some have also suggested a 'compensation first, then recourse' plan," adding, "The People Power Party will coordinate with the government to devise feasible measures." He emphasized, "Among the 13 follow-up legislative bills, eight have been amended, but we will do our best to promptly complete the amendments for the remaining bills."

On the same day, Lee Cheol-gyu, the secretary-general, raised allegations of Democratic Party lawmakers' involvement. Lee said, "While measures such as suspending the auction are necessary, a thorough investigation into the background that made such real estate fraud crimes possible must follow," adding, "There have been continuous reports that a prominent politician in the Incheon area and a leading politician from the then-ruling Democratic Party are involved behind Nam Heon-gi, the main culprit of this case and similar cases in other regions. We urge the investigative authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this."

Ryu Seong-geol, the ruling party's secretary of the Planning and Finance Committee, said, "According to statistics, out of 3,107 households victimized by jeonse fraud in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, more than 2,000 are scheduled for auction. It is a very worrisome situation that another tragedy may occur."

Ryu added, "Despite the government taking measures such as newly installing the Safe Jeonse app and disclosing the identities of malicious landlords this year, these incidents and damages continue to increase," and pointed out, "The government needs to review whether the jeonse fraud countermeasures are functioning properly."

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