Kyungsillyeon Files Complaint Against Lawmakers Kim Hong-gul and Jo Su-jin for "False Asset Reporting"

The Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice held a press conference on the 28th in front of the Gwacheon office of the National Election Commission, requesting an investigation by the Election Commission into the inadequate verification of asset declarations during the registration of National Assembly candidates. On this day, the coalition urged the Election Commission to actively investigate Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Hye-young (judged to have omitted pre-sale rights), People Power Party lawmaker Han Mu-gyeong (handled 34 land parcels in one case), lawmaker Baek Jong-heon (handled 27 officetel units in one case), lawmaker Lee Ju-hwan (reported 10 land parcels in two cases), and lawmaker Lee Yong (judged to have omitted bonds worth 100 million won). Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Independent lawmaker Kim Hong-gul and People Power Party lawmaker Jo Soo-jin, who are suspected of false property reporting, have been accused by a civic group.

The Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) held a press conference in front of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on the morning of the 29th and announced that they would file charges against lawmakers Kim and Jo regarding the suspicion of false property reporting.

Earlier, based on an investigation showing that the average assets of 175 members of the 21st National Assembly (154 first-term, 21 re-registered) increased by about 1 billion KRW compared to before their election, CCEJ raised suspicions of underreporting of assets by the lawmakers. CCEJ selected 14 lawmakers suspected of false property reporting and requested explanations, receiving responses from 12. CCEJ explained that most cases were due to the Election Commission's incorrect guidance or individuals' negligent reporting.

CCEJ requested the Election Commission to conduct additional investigations on eight lawmakers whose reported amounts showed significant discrepancies and unclear reasons for changes. In the cases of lawmakers Kim and Jo, due to strong suspicion of false reporting, they were reported to the prosecution on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act on this day.