[Summary] Oh Se-hoon "Mistake in Explaining Naegok-dong Land"... Opposition Party Attacks "False Explanation"

Opposition Raises Suspicion of 'Self-Compensation' for Oh Se-hoon's Naegok-dong Land
Oh Se-hoon "Clarification on Naegok-dong In-Law Land, There Was Confusion"
"If Involved in Compensation for Naegok-dong Land as Mayor, Will Resign Candidacy"

O Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, acknowledged on the 16th that there was a mistake in his explanation that the land of his in-laws in Naegok-dong, Seoul, was designated as a national rental housing complex during the Roh Moo-hyun administration. The ruling party criticized this, saying, "Candidate Oh's false explanation has been exposed," and launched an offensive.

Go Min-jung, a spokesperson for Park Young-sun's campaign, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, said on Facebook that day, "Candidate Oh attempted a sinister act to blind and deafen the public," adding, "He even did not hesitate to intimidate those who spoke the truth by filing complaints. Although the truth has been revealed, he shamelessly continues to claim he did nothing wrong." She continued, "Continued false explanations only give rise to more lies," and warned, "Remember that today's explanation will become an even bigger tsunami."

Heo Young, spokesperson for the Democratic Party's Central Election Committee, said in a written briefing that day, "Candidate Oh Se-hoon's self-benefit and self-compensation, which had been buried for 10 years, are creating more lies through 'false explanations.' It is utterly shameless."

He added, "He changed his explanation from saying it was designated as a planned district during the Roh Moo-hyun administration to effectively saying it was designated, then shifted responsibility by claiming that the project was approved solely by the Housing Bureau Director at the time," criticizing, "It is impossible to lift the greenbelt and build apartments without the Seoul mayor's approval. Passing the blame along with blatant lies is why Candidate Oh should not become Seoul mayor."

Kim Tae-nyeon, acting leader of the Democratic Party and floor leader, urged at the National Assembly floor strategy meeting, "Candidate Oh's family received 3.6 billion won in compensation for land in Naegok-dong in 2009 while he was serving as Seoul mayor," and called for "disclosure of real estate holdings of himself, his spouse, and direct relatives."

He criticized, "Candidate Oh explained that the Naegok district development was decided during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, but according to reports, the development plan was finalized in November 2009 during Mayor Oh's tenure after the Lee Myung-bak administration took office," and said, "Self-compensation and false explanations have been revealed." He raised his voice, saying, "Lee Myung-bak, who said 'DAS is not mine,' and Candidate Oh are very similar in deceiving the public with lies and cunning self-interest. He should clearly state his position and apologize to the public for the falsehoods."

Chun Jun-ho, also from the same party, pointed out at a National Assembly press conference, "Candidate Oh explained today that he did not know the existence or location of this land and still does not know its location, but the 2008 public official property declaration clearly listed Naegok-dong plots 106 and 110."

He emphasized, "Is a person who repeatedly gives false explanations qualified as a mayoral candidate? He must take political and legal responsibility for all of this."

Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Dong-geun wrote on his Facebook that day, "It has been revealed that Candidate Oh's previous claims were shameless lies," and pointed out, "The Democratic Party lawmakers' claims are white propaganda, not black propaganda like gomtang."

He said, "The essence of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) speculation allegations, which have aroused public outrage, is secretly obtaining pre-development information for land speculation," and criticized, "The allegations against Candidate Oh are that he used administrative power to designate his in-laws' land as a development site. If the allegations are true, the nature of the crime is 'power-based land speculation,' which cannot be compared to the LH speculation allegations."

Shin then criticized, "I hope he reflects on whether he is qualified as a Seoul mayor candidate with this on his conscience."

O Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Candidate Oh faced allegations that his family's land in Naegok-dong was designated as a national rental housing complex during his tenure as Seoul mayor, resulting in compensation of 3.6 billion won.

In response, Candidate Oh had argued that the land was designated as a planned national rental housing district during the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2006, before he took office as mayor. However, it was revealed that the final designation occurred in 2009 during the Lee Myung-bak administration, sparking controversy over false explanations.

Candidate Oh declared that he would resign from the candidacy if internal testimonies emerged regarding his involvement in designating his in-laws' land in Naegok-dong as a Bogeumjari housing district.

During a unification primary TV debate that afternoon, when Ahn Cheol-soo, the People's Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, demanded clarification on the allegations, Candidate Oh said, "If anyone remembers that Mayor Oh showed interest or exerted direct or indirect pressure regarding this district, please come forward."

He continued, "I urge Seoul city employees or SH (Seoul Housing Corporation) employees to make a conscience declaration immediately," and denied speculation allegations, saying, "If so, I will immediately resign from the candidacy."