What Is the Truth Behind Chairman Kim Jaehan of Changnyeong County Council's Controversy Over Fictitious Residence Registration?

A Newspaper's 'Trick Move Transfer' Criticism Met with "A Born-and-Bred Changnyeong Native to the Bone"

Chairman Kim Jae-han of Changnyeong County Council, Gyeongnam, at the house (left) where his brother-in-law actually resides and engages in farming activities, and the interior of the warehouse. / Photo by Kim Wook assa113@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Wook] Some residents have come forward to refute a newspaper article claiming that Kim Jaehan, chairman of the Changnyeong County Council in Gyeongnam, committed address fraud and acted against "trickery and common sense," stating that "he is a Changnyeong native to the bone."

On August 30, reporter A from a certain newspaper reported in a journalist's notebook that "Chairman Kim Jaehan has been criticized for self-centered behavior that deviates from fairness and common sense due to address fraud."

According to our investigation, it was confirmed by some residents of Daehap and Seongsan-myeon that when Chairman Kim worked at a local agricultural cooperative, a joint guarantee he provided at a friend's request was mishandled, and for over 25 years, except for a minimum living expense of 1.2 million won, the remainder was seized by creditors.

At the time of his retirement from the agricultural cooperative four years ago, Chairman Kim did not receive a single penny of his severance pay due to creditor collection.

The person for whom he provided the joint guarantee was a senior on his wife's side whose business failed, and when the husband's salary was seized, Kim's wife, upon learning this, has been barely making a living by working as a day laborer at a small company in Hyeonpung.

His wife has been living in a small villa in Hyeonpung owned by their daughter for the convenience of commuting, and Chairman Kim has been residing in the house of his late elder brother for several years, farming onions and garlic.

His sister-in-law lives in the Seoul metropolitan area where their children reside, so Chairman Kim effectively manages the household.

Chairman Kim stated, "Since I was born, I have only once changed my address to a relative's house near Hwawon, Daegu, to obtain a driver's license, and I have never left Changnyeong County. I have even bought cigarettes only within Changnyeong County," adding, "I will not refute or object to this article as it is a legitimate point for the press to raise."