Former Blue House Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Kim Jo-won Resigns After Multi-Home Controversy
Some Ruling Party Lawmakers Criticize "Unclean Finish"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Kim Jong-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, defended former Blue House Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Kim Jo-won, who resigned amid controversy over real estate disposal, saying there are family matters that cannot be disclosed.
On the 11th, Kim appeared on KBS1's 'Sasageon-geon' and said, "It is said that he owns two houses, but there are various family matters that cannot be made public. Personal attacks should not be made," criticizing the public criticism directed at former Secretary Kim.
He continued, "There have been continuous false reports about former Secretary Kim. It should stop now," and emphasized, "(Regarding the real estate controversy, etc.) Since everyone is a public official, misunderstandings are inevitable and usually tolerated, but to bring this up even after he has resigned is really wrong."
Regarding some criticisms that "there are mixed reactions within the party about former Secretary Kim's actions," he said, "That is said out of ignorance," adding, "Lawmakers should not give interviews (to the media). They should not pretend to know and speak about issues they do not understand."
Meanwhile, former Secretary Kim, who owns apartments in Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, and Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, announced he would sell the Jamsil apartment in accordance with the directive to "dispose of all properties except one." However, he was criticized for "only pretending to dispose" as he listed the property at a price about 200 million KRW higher than the market value.
After submitting his resignation along with five other Blue House aides, former Secretary Kim reportedly did not attend senior secretary and aide meetings presided over by President Moon Jae-in.
Regarding this controversy, Woo Won-shik, a Democratic Party lawmaker, criticized on the same day on BBS Radio's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal,' saying, "If former Secretary Kim was dissatisfied with reports that he listed the real estate at a higher price or with the Blue House's directive to sell the house, that would be inappropriate," and added, "If he does not sell the apartment, social criticism against him will increase."
Democratic Party lawmaker Jin Sung-jun also pointed out on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that day, "I think there must have been some necessity or circumstances for owning many houses, but securing public trust in the government's real estate policy is most important," and criticized, "The conclusion was not clean."
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