[Exclusive] Repeated Allegations Against Kim Seung-hee, Now Mother's Health Insurance Premium Arrears Revealed

Apartment Seized by National Health Insurance Service
Land Also Seized Due to Local Tax Arrears
Candidate's Side Says "Unrelated to Policy Competence"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] It has been revealed that the mother of Kim Seung-hee, the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, had her apartment seized by the National Health Insurance Corporation due to unpaid health insurance premiums. She also had land seized for unpaid local taxes. However, Kim's mother repaid the overdue health insurance premiums and local taxes after the seizure notices were sent.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 31st, an analysis of the real estate registry of Kim's mother by Kang Byung-won, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, confirmed that the Gap-eul Myeongga Apartment in Sangdo-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, owned by Kim's mother, was seized by the National Health Insurance Corporation in 2015 due to unpaid health insurance premiums. The registry states the cause of registration as "Seizure on May 21, 2015 (Collection Dept-904375)" and the right holder as "National Health Insurance Corporation." The seizure registration was canceled on November 19, six months later, suggesting that Kim's mother repaid the overdue health insurance premiums belatedly.

Additionally, in 2016, Kim's mother was found to have had land (747㎡) she owned in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, seized due to unpaid local taxes. The registry shows the cause of registration as "Seizure on May 25, 2016 (Tax Dept-10396)" and the right holder as "Namyangju City." The seizure registration was canceled on May 8, 2017, indicating that the overdue local taxes were repaid within about a year.

The team preparing for Kim's confirmation hearing stated, "Family-related matters fall under personal information," and added, "Matters related to the nominee's mother are unrelated to the nominee's policy capabilities or qualifications."

Kim has recently faced successive allegations including past statements, suspicions regarding her son's military service exemption, and suspicions of gap investment in an apartment in Sejong.