Second Debate Also Focuses on 'Naegok-dong Land'... Oh "Master of the Lie Frame" vs Park "Got a Complex?" (Summary)

Oh Candidate's In-Law Land Sparks Renewed Debate
Park: "Lies Every Morning, MB Family and Crown Prince's Land"
Oh: "No Financial Gain... Let's Compete on Policy and Vision"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] On the 30th, Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate, and Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, who are running in the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election, clashed again over Oh's 'Naegok-dong in-law land suspicion' during their second TV debate.

From the keynote speech, Park raised the issue of the Naegok-dong land. Park said, "The Naegok-dong land issue is an inappropriate attitude of candidate Oh Se-hoon as a public official," adding, "He lacks awareness as a public figure. We cannot pass lies on to future generations. What we must protect now is an honest and fair Seoul."

The key issue regarding the Naegok-dong land on that day was whether candidate Oh directly intervened in the process of lifting the development restriction zone (Greenbelt) on the Naegok-dong area in Gangnam-gu, where his in-law's land is located, and designating it as a public housing district during his tenure as Seoul mayor.

Park said, "Yesterday, he said he didn't know about the Greenbelt lifting in Songpa because it was decided by the director-general. But today, after a night's sleep, he canceled that statement," adding, "The more you look, the stranger it gets. (Showing a map) This part is Oh Se-hoon's in-law's land, this side is former lawmaker Lee Sang-deuk's private land, and the land near Lee Myung-bak's residence, which was controversial, is right around here." She continued, "In the end, the Greenbelt lifting was done where MB family and MB crown prince's lands are adjacent," and added, "Yesterday, it was said that not only cash compensation but also land was received, but he denied it and then explained again today."

Oh explained, "There is a big misunderstanding. I really did not gain any financial benefit," adding, "My elder brother-in-law owns 3/8, my younger brother-in-law owns 2/8, my wife and sister-in-law each own 1/8, and my mother-in-law also owns 1/8. You need to have more than 2/8 to qualify for a negotiated purchase."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the TV debate, candidate Oh reiterated that the Naegok-dong land was inherited and that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport under the Roh Moo-hyun administration proposed designating it as a public housing site. He said, "The lifting of the development restriction zone started before I became mayor, proposed by the Seoul Housing Corporation (SH) to the Roh administration's Ministry of Land, and since the mayor's policy was already established, it was processed by the director-general without reporting," adding, "I showed that document yesterday and brought an enlarged version today. It was initially designated as national rental housing and then renamed as public housing, so the procedural steps were only formalities."

Park: "KOICA Volunteer Work Took Away Jobs"
Oh: "Post-retirement Program, Lies by Incompetence"

He emphasized, "The essence is that it is inherited land, and I received about 85% of the market price as compensation without any involvement, and it was forcibly acquired land," adding, "It is slander to claim I received special favors to make money."

When Oh said, "Since no evidence has come out, the focus is shifting. I will continue to raise the issue even after the election," Park retorted, "Are you threatening by mentioning investigations?" which led to a heated exchange. When Park said, "You seem agitated; it looks like you have developed a lying complex," Oh responded, "I think you are a master of the lie frame."

Especially when Park pointed out Oh's KOICA overseas volunteer experience as "taking away others' jobs, taking away youth jobs," Oh briefly became agitated, calling it a "blatant lie."

Oh said, "I passed formal exams, including English tests and health checks. Unlike youth, this is a mid- to long-term advisory program where retired professionals use their lifelong expertise to help developing countries," adding, "Saying I took away jobs meant for youth is an incompetent lie." He then asked, "Have I ever said anything negative or black propaganda about Park Young-sun? Please keep your mindset right and compete with policies and visions at that time."

Park said that Oh's side kept bringing up the Tokyo apartment issue, calling it "evidence that my family suffered and was surveilled during the Lee Myung-bak administration," adding, "It is specified that the sale was on February 25 and the balance payment on June 18. Candidate Oh Se-hoon brought this up to cover up the Naegok-dong land incident."