Yang Seung-jo's Side: "Kim Tae-heum Must Explain Suspicions of Violating the Farmland Act... Calling a Luxurious Stone Wall a Boundary Stone"

The campaign committee of Yang Seung-jo, the Democratic Party candidate for Governor of Chungnam, claimed on the 23rd that Kim Tae-heum, the People Power Party candidate for Governor of Chungnam, allegedly illegally altered the terrain and unauthorizedly converted two agricultural plots in Suburi, Ungcheon-eup, Boryeong-si, Chungnam, which he purchased in July 2006. The photo is of the land provided by the Democratic Party. / Provided by Yang Seung-jo's campaign team [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Yang Seung-jo, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Governor of Chungcheongnam-do, pointed out allegations of farmland law violations against Kim Tae-heum, the People Power Party candidate, on the 24th and demanded an explanation.

Lee Jung-moon, chief spokesperson for candidate Yang, held a press conference at the Chungnam Provincial Government Office on the same day and rebutted Kim's explanations one by one.

Regarding Kim's explanation that the issue was already reviewed by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission in August last year, spokesperson Lee stated, "The Anti-Corruption Commission's investigation into real estate speculation by lawmakers focused on ‘farmland in areas with real estate booms’ and is separate from farmland law violations," adding, "This is a serious matter that cannot be judged as resolving the allegations of farmland law violations against candidate Kim."

The campaign headquarters of Kim Tae-heum, the People Power Party candidate for Governor of Chungnam, on the 23rd, released photos showing Kim himself pulling weeds (left) and Kim and his spouse planting seedlings in response to allegations of farmland law violations provided by the Democratic Party candidate Yang Seung-jo's camp. / Provided by Kim Tae-heum's campaign [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the explanation that the farmland was used for weekend cultivation, he said, "The garden cultivated by candidate Kim accounts for only about 100㎡ (about 30 pyeong), which is 7% of the total farmland area of 4,494㎡ (1,359 pyeong)," and added, "It clearly cannot escape suspicion of being a ‘show cultivation’."

Regarding the stone wall installed on the farmland being explained as a boundary stone, he rebutted, "We are astonished by candidate Kim Tae-heum’s shameless explanation that tries to dismiss the ‘luxurious stone wall,’ which is 40 cm wide and 29 meters long, as merely a boundary stone," adding, "Luxurious large-scale sculptures, garden stones, and landscaping trees are installed and planted on the farmland, and there is no explanation whatsoever about the luxurious landscaping, which further amplifies the suspicion of farmland law violations."

Regarding the suspicion of a down payment contract, he claimed, "The price of the land purchased by the candidate is 39% to 60% cheaper than the sale price of the adjacent land, which is unacceptable."