Presidential Candidates to Yoon: "You Own the 'Five Real Estate Evils'... Change Your Campaign Sign to 'Tteotdabang'"

Five Members from Yoon Camp Suspected of Violating Real Estate Laws

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, is expressing his position on the amendment to the Media Arbitration Act, which the ruling party forcibly passed alone, at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 22nd. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) has revealed that five members of the People Power Party affiliated with the Yoon Seok-yeol camp are among the lawmakers suspected of violating real estate laws. In response, the presidential candidates of the Democratic Party of Korea have continued their strong criticism.

Lee Jae-myung camp spokesperson Jeon Yong-gi stated in a commentary on the 24th, "(Former Prime Minister Yoon) should verify the facts as the head of the camp and clearly disclose them to the public," adding, "Fulfilling the corresponding responsibility is the duty of a presidential candidate."

Lee Nak-yeon camp spokesperson Lee Byung-hoon also commented, "With the Yoon Seok-yeol candidate's camp now holding the 'Real Estate Five,' it has become publicly evident that it is composed of a pool of real estate experts comparable to a comprehensive real estate company," sarcastically adding, "Yoon Seok-yeol should consider changing the camp's signboard to 'Tteotdabang' (a term for transient real estate agents)."

Candidate Chung Sye-kyun also criticized former Prime Minister Yoon. On his social media, he asked, "Why is the Yoon Seok-yeol faction overwhelmingly represented among the lawmakers suspected of speculation?" and said, "Candidate Yoon should apologize to the public, disband the camp, and return home."

Candidate Kim Du-kwan also posted on Facebook, "The forces that should disappear for fairness and justice are hiding behind Yoon Seok-yeol, who wears the mask of fairness and justice but stumbles over more than three sentences and knows nothing," criticizing, "For this reason alone, candidate Yoon should apologize to the public, disband the camp, and return home."

Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. /Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, among the 12 incumbent People Power Party lawmakers suspected of violating real estate laws, those affiliated with the Yoon Seok-yeol camp are lawmakers Song Seok-jun, Ahn Byung-gil, Lee Cheol-gyu, Jung Chan-min, and Han Mu-kyung.

Specific allegations include Song Seok-jun suspected of violating the Building Act, Ahn Byung-gil of real estate name trust violations, and Han Mu-kyung of violating the Farmland Act. The suspected speculation details regarding Lee Cheol-gyu and Jung Chan-min have not been disclosed. The ACRC's review results were released to the People Power Party with the consent of the individuals involved.

Yoon Seok-yeol camp spokesperson Kim Byung-min stated on the 24th, "Lawmakers Han Mu-kyung and Jung Chan-min, affiliated with the camp, have expressed their intention to voluntarily step down from camp-related positions, which we have accepted," adding, "Lawmaker Lee Cheol-gyu has requested an additional opportunity to explain regarding the related allegations, so we will observe the clarification process before making a judgment."