Jeon Hyun-hee, Only People Power Party 'Avoids Duty' in Real Estate Full Survey NO... Opposition Citing "Concerns Over Neutrality"

Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] When Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, stated that she would not recuse herself from the People Power Party's full-scale real estate investigation request, the People Power Party immediately reacted with opposition.

According to political circles, on the 13th, Chairperson Jeon explained that there was no reason for her to step aside from the People Power Party's full-scale real estate investigation and declared that she would fulfill her role as the head of the institution.

Previously, Chairperson Jeon recused herself from the full-scale real estate investigations of lawmakers affiliated with the Democratic Party of Korea. She also recused herself from investigation requests by the five minor parties, including the Justice Party and the Open Democratic Party.

Chairperson Jeon explained that she followed the public officials' code of conduct, which requires recusal from duties related to corporations or organizations where one has worked within the past two years, as she is originally from the Democratic Party. However, she stated that the case of the People Power Party's investigation is different. She said, "The investigation will be conducted using the same standards as during the Democratic Party investigation."

On the 11th, Choo Kyung-ho, the Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the People Power Party, visited the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission at the Government Seoul Office and handed over a request letter for a full investigation of People Power Party members to Kim Tae-eung, Head of the Special Investigation Team on Real Estate Transactions (Standing Commissioner, right), to uncover the truth behind suspicions of real estate speculation.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

However, there is an assessment that it is difficult to accept her claim since she uniquely refuses to recuse herself only from the People Power Party's investigation.

The People Power Party responded immediately. Jeon Ju-hye, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said, "At the occasion of submitting the request for a full-scale real estate investigation of 102 People Power Party lawmakers and others, Kim Tae-woong, head of the Special Real Estate Transaction Investigation Team, clearly stated, 'Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hee will naturally recuse herself from this investigation as well.'" She added, "(In such a case,) the People Power Party warns that we cannot further trust the fairness and neutrality of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission's investigation."