"Fairness Requires Applying the Same Standards to the World"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min criticized Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, saying, "Being weak to the strong and only strong to those weaker than oneself is not refreshing but plain water." He pointed out that Lee remains silent about the family of former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don, who is suspected of land speculation near the planned site of the Busan Gadukdo New Airport.
On the 5th, Yoo wrote on his Facebook, "Governor Lee said that employees of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), who are suspected of land speculation in new towns, should be 'severely punished to the extent that they can never even dream of it again,'" adding, "But why do I feel uneasy while hearing Lee's rightful words?"
He continued, "Why is there not a single word about the Oh Keo-don family's land speculation suspicion in Gadukdo while strongly criticizing LH employees' speculation?"
Yoo criticized, "Why is there no word about investigating the responsibility of the current Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, who was the LH president at the time? The Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Land's self-investigation, ordered by the President, are already met with public cynicism and distrust," adding, "Anyone can see that an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection and a prosecution investigation are clearly necessary, so why is there no word about this?"
He further pointed out, "The protagonist of the speculative investment in Heukseok-dong and official residence real estate investment became a member of the National Assembly, and the First Lady's friend speculated in Mokpo, but why is there no word about this?" and asked, "Why does Governor Lee not apply the same standards to the world?"
Yoo emphasized, "Suspicions of speculation by those in power should also be investigated and punished by the same standards and criteria," adding, "This is how to achieve a fair society."
Meanwhile, on the previous day (the 4th), Governor Lee shared a news article reporting that "some LH employees are defending colleagues suspected of land speculation" on his Facebook, stating, "There are LH public officials who argue about 'freedom of investment,'" and emphasized, "Public officials do not have the freedom of investment, or more precisely, the 'freedom to speculate using their public office.'"
He added, "Using the authority entrusted by the people for personal gain is the worst unfairness," and urged strict measures, saying, "It is appropriate to restore discipline within the public service through disciplinary action before legal measures, but if corruption and misconduct are already widespread and the parties do not reflect, even if it is an after-the-fact remedy, recurrence must be made impossible."
Governor Lee also announced that Gyeonggi Province is investigating whether there are similar cases in the province in light of this incident. He explained, "For public officials caught (in Gyeonggi Province), we will take measures including immediate suspension from their positions, severe disciplinary action, and without exception, criminal punishment."
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