Regarding "Expulsion for Illegal Real Estate Transactions"

Kwonikwi Announces Involvement of 12 Lawmakers in Illegal Suspicion
Such Nationally Damaging Speculation Must Not Occur
Party Will Swiftly Implement Measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The Democratic Party of Korea announced on the 8th that it will "take responsible measures" regarding the results of the full-scale real estate speculation investigation conducted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, and is even considering expelling lawmakers suspected of illegal activities during real estate transactions and holdings. Within the party, there is a growing sentiment to apply strict ethical standards, with opinions emerging that the previously undisclosed list announced by the Commission should be made public.

Yoon Ho-jung, the floor leader, said at the morning floor countermeasure meeting, "There must never be a recurrence of the disastrous real estate speculation," and added, "We will promptly take and implement responsible measures at the party level."

Han Jun-ho, the floor spokesperson, hinted at the possibility of expulsion of the involved lawmakers during a press briefing immediately after the floor countermeasure meeting. He said, "(Representative Song Young-gil) has already mentioned this in advance and has said that preemptive measures will be taken, so I think firm actions will be taken at the level of expulsion, even if it means self-sacrifice."

Earlier, Representative Song declared, "Those involved will be immediately expelled, and strict ethical standards such as banning reinstatement until a decision of no suspicion is confirmed will be applied."

Han also urged the opposition, saying, "In response to this, we ask the candidates for the People Power Party leadership to clearly express their intentions and to have their affiliated lawmakers undergo a full-scale investigation."

After the floor countermeasure meeting, the Democratic Party urgently convened a closed Supreme Council meeting to discuss countermeasures against affiliated lawmakers suspected of illegal transactions. At this meeting, Representative Song is expected to discuss whether to disclose the list of lawmakers involved in illegal activities and the level of party-level measures, and to announce the final plan on the same day.

Within the party, voices are rising that the list of the full-scale real estate investigation results should be transparently disclosed. Kang Byung-won, a Supreme Council member, appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" and said, "At the time of this full-scale investigation, it was promised that it would be conducted rigorously, and former floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon promised to disclose the list of illegal acts," adding, "Promises made to the public must be kept." He continued, "According to the promise, I think it is necessary to disclose that 12 lawmakers are suspected of certain allegations."

The previous day, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced the results of a full-scale investigation of real estate transactions over the past seven years involving a total of 816 Democratic Party lawmakers and their families. As a result, it was found that 12 lawmakers were involved in suspected illegal activities during real estate transactions and holdings.