"Byeon Chang-heum, Too Many Factors That Could Lead to a Reduction in the Full Survey"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Yoon Hee-sook, a member of the People Power Party, argued that Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Byeon Chang-heum should be excluded from the investigation into the allegations of land speculation by employees of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) regarding new towns. Minister Byeon previously served as the president of LH before assuming his ministerial position.
In an interview on June 9 with KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs,' Rep. Yoon said, "Most of the speculation allegations occurred when Minister Byeon was the person responsible for LH," adding, "Minister Byeon has too many reasons to want this investigation to be significantly minimized."
Regarding President Moon Jae-in's directive for the prosecution and police to cooperate organically in the investigation, Rep. Yoon dismissed it as "a meaningless statement." She said, "There is public opinion that says, 'Are you trying to exclude the prosecution and the Board of Audit and Inspection because they are not on your (government's) side?' so it seems the president only said that in words," adding, "No one really knows what it means to cooperate organically. It is necessary to clearly designate who is responsible for the investigation and specify the form of cooperation."
She continued, "It is not appropriate to conduct investigations by digging up the names of civil servants and public institution employees within the government," and insisted that a proper investigation requires a prosecution-led inquiry.
Regarding the government's announcement to expand the investigation targets back to the Park Geun-hye administration era, she said, "I think it is better to investigate as broadly and as long as possible, and whether they are from the opposition or ruling party, anyone involved in this corruption should be completely removed." However, Rep. Yoon emphasized, "Those who recently accessed information about new town development should be investigated most urgently."
She also criticized, "Throughout this government, former Minister Kim Hyun-mi and others said, 'There is no shortage of supply at all. We just need to crack down on speculation.' But it turns out that the real speculators were all under the government's wing."
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