All 13 LH Employees in Gwangmyeong-Siheung 'Speculation Allegations' Suspended from Duty

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo Gang-wook] All 13 employees of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) confirmed to have acquired land parcels related to speculation allegations in the Gwangmyeong-Siheung new town have been suspended from their positions.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and LH announced on the 3rd that, as a result of their internal investigation, they confirmed that 13 LH employees acquired 12 land parcels in the area and completed the suspension of the employees involved.

Out of the 10 parcels presented by the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun) and People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD), 2 parcels were confirmed not to be owned by LH employees. However, with the discovery of ownership of 4 additional parcels, a total of 12 parcels were found to be owned by LH employees.

It was confirmed that the employees in question have not worked in the new candidate site-related departments or the Gwangmyeong-Siheung project headquarters since 2015.

The Ministry of Land plans to conduct a land transaction status investigation on the entire 3rd phase new towns, including Gwangmyeong-Siheung, jointly with the Prime Minister's Office in relation to this suspicion. The investigation targets employees and their families from relevant departments of public institutions such as the Ministry of Land, LH, and local governments. The preliminary investigation is expected to be completed by next week.

The Ministry of Land and LH will verify any illegalities through internal audits and will take strict measures such as requesting investigations or filing complaints and accusations if any violations are confirmed.