[Summary] "Kim Jowon remarried" defended multiple unregistered houses... Former Secretary Kim says "Not true"

Kim Jong-min and Park Sung-joong "Remarriage Circumstances Should Be Considered"... Kim Jo-won "Not True"

Former Blue House Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Kim Jo-won is attending the ruling party-government-civil service consultation on power agency reform for the people held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 30th of last month.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Political controversy arose over the actions of former Blue House Civil Affairs Secretary Kim Jowon, who stepped down without disposing of his multiple properties in Gangnam, Seoul. In political circles, some speculated that Kim had remarried and therefore could not sell his houses, while others expressed disbelief. However, the controversy subsided after Kim himself denied the remarriage claims.

On the 12th, Park Sung-joong, a member of the United Future Party, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "He was a military colleague, and I know him better than anyone. There were some internal difficulties," adding, "There are issues with his wife, remarriage, and other matters."

Earlier, on the 11th, Kim Jong-min of the Democratic Party of Korea said, "He reportedly owns two houses, but there are family matters that are not publicly disclosed. We should not engage in personal attacks."

In response, Woo Won-shik, also of the same party, posted a rebuttal on Facebook in the early morning, stating, "I don't know what family matters there are, but can we understand his resignation without disclosing those circumstances or asking for the public's understanding?" The post was later deleted.

In the post, Woo criticized, "If he was a Blue House secretary under the Moon Jae-in administration, even if he resigns, isn't he still responsible for the government? Is it right for the public to perceive that his government role is being exchanged for preserving an apartment?"

However, this political debate was rendered moot by Kim's own clarification. On the 12th, Kim told Yonhap News, "Reports about my remarriage and related matters are not true."

Regarding this, Representative Park said, "I spoke in defense of former Secretary Kim during the interview, but after verifying the facts, it seems he has not remarried," stepping back from his earlier statement.

Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that Kim listed his Jamsil apartment for sale at a price about 200 million KRW higher than the highest historical transaction price. This led to criticism that Kim had no real intention of disposing of his multiple properties.

In response, the United Future Party issued a statement saying, "Despite being advised to dispose of the properties, he did not clarify his position, leading to rumors of replacement, and in the end, it seems he was not actually selling," and criticized, "Secretary Kim, who abandoned government principles himself, should now step down from his uncomfortable position and firmly practice his 'Gangnam love.'"