Ministry of Land's Audit 'Daejang-dong Dispute'... "Park Administration Paved the Way vs Governor Lee Jae-myung's Responsibility"

Intense 'Daejang-dong Dispute' on First Day of National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee Audit

On the afternoon of the 5th, during the resumed National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee's audit of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Administrative City Construction Agency, and the Saemangeum Development Agency at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City, the party leaders agreed to remove the placards related to the Daejang-dong scandal that were attached to the seats of the People Power Party members. However, when some placards remained on the seats, ruling party members including Cho Eung-cheon (left), a Democratic Party party leader, protested and walked out. [Image source=Yonhap News]

At the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee's audit, ruling and opposition party lawmakers engaged in sharp exchanges over the 'Daejang-dong Gate.' Opposition lawmakers highlighted the responsibility of Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, while ruling party lawmakers targeted former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and the Park Geun-hye administration. As questions related to the Daejang-dong Gate dominated, issues such as the rapid rise in housing prices and real estate policies disappeared from the discussion.

On the 5th, Democratic Party lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae raised suspicions regarding the purchase of a house owned by former Prosecutor General Yoon's father by the sister of Kim Man-bae, the actual owner of Hwacheon Daeyu, during the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport audit. Lawmaker Jang stated, "In April 2019, Kim's sister was looking for a detached house to keep a dog, and it is said that at that time, Yoon Seok-yeol candidate's father put ten properties on the market at prices lower than the surrounding market price," adding, "Although it is said that ten properties were listed, the real estate agent right next to (the father's house) said there were no listings. I am curious how a quick sale was made in just three days."

On the other hand, People Power Party lawmaker Song Seok-jun said, "Regarding the Daejang-dong project, the phrase 'Yangdu Guyuk' (a Chinese idiom meaning 'a wolf in sheep's clothing') has been used," adding, "Seongnam City said it conducted joint development because private development was problematic, but it created an incomprehensible structure where the private sector became the project owner, allowing Hwacheon Daeyu to reap enormous profits." He emphasized, "At the time, Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung mentioned that he designed the project himself, but the mayor, who should carefully oversee the project to prevent excessive privileges, ended up making huge profits."

People Power Party lawmaker Park Seong-min also criticized, saying, "Governor Lee Jae-myung claims to have recovered 550 billion won, but this includes public contributions that the local government should naturally receive, and he is claiming that Seongnam City benefited." Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Noh Hyung-wook avoided direct answers to questions from ruling and opposition lawmakers regarding the Daejang-dong Gate, responding, "I will look into whether there is a need for institutional improvements."

Democratic Party lawmaker Jin Sung-jun also raised the responsibility of the Park Geun-hye administration. Lawmaker Jin criticized, "The Park Geun-hye administration pushed for the abolition of the Land Development Act in 2014 and introduced special exemptions for development charges, paving the way for the Daejang-dong development project to become an astronomical money feast," adding, "The architects of these privileges are not even apologizing but are trying to falsely accuse those who did their best to recover development profits." He said, "The Park Geun-hye government and the previous Lee Myung-bak government paved a smooth road and laid a flower path so that private development companies participating in the Daejang-dong development project could take enormous development profits," and added, "Our government must take this as a great lesson."