Hwang: "Kim, no response on 'Ulsan land' route change" Kim's side: "It's his own suspicion or explanation"

Hwang Kyo-ahn "Joint Real Estate Operation with Original Owner Kim Mo"
Kim Ki-hyun "I Can't Step In" Comments Spark Dispute

Hwang Kyo-ahn, a candidate for the People Power Party's March 8 leadership election, continued his final offensive regarding candidate Kim Ki-hyun's land in Ulsan. Although Kim did not respond directly, he openly expressed his discomfort through a statement.

On the 3rd, in an interview with MBC Radio, Hwang raised the issue, saying, "The most important and core issue is the change in the access road route, but there has been no response on that part."

Hwang stated, "Up to three routes were thoroughly reviewed, so the key question is why the route suddenly changed to go through Kim's land," adding, "Originally, it was designed to pass by a location quite far from Kim's land," and "It wasn't done roughly; plans 1, 2, and 3 were created and designed, but suddenly the route changed to go through Kim's land."

People Power Party leader candidate Hwang Kyo-ahn is delivering his policy speech at the 3rd Party Convention Seoul-Incheon-Gyeonggi Joint Speech Meeting held at Goyang Gymnasium in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 2nd. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

He also expressed suspicion about the relationship between Mr. Kim, who owned the land, and candidate Kim. Hwang pointed out, "Mr. Kim has been involved in various transactions," and "He has been connected since he was young, buying real estate at 35, and eventually was even given a role and a position."

He reiterated, "Regarding real estate, it can only be seen as a joint operation," and "The change in the access road route is the most important and core issue."

Regarding Kim's request for an investigation into Hwang, he countered, "The request for investigation is just a stalling tactic," adding, "It takes a lot of time to decide whether to open a case or not because they have to investigate first." He continued, "I am telling them to file a lawsuit," and "If they immediately file a complaint, the truth will be revealed through the investigation, and the public will clearly know what the truth is."

Kim Ki-hyun's camp did not respond directly but expressed their opinion through a spokesperson's statement.

People Power Party's candidate for party leader, Kim Ki-hyun, is delivering his policy speech at the 3rd Party Convention Seoul-Incheon-Gyeonggi Joint Speech Meeting held at Goyang Gymnasium in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Kim's camp spokesperson Kim Si-gwan stated in a comment, "There has been a claim that 5 billion won was given to Hwang as a bribe for nomination," and criticized, "However, when it comes to his own suspicions, he immediately becomes angry and shows an unexpected attitude of requesting an investigation instead of filing a lawsuit."

After the press conference, when meeting with reporters, candidate Kim was reserved about the nomination controversy related to Hwang, saying, "Just because the opponent does that doesn't mean I will do the same."

Instead, Kim held a press conference at the communication center that day, saying, "We will maximize national governance energy through harmony between the party and government," and "We will firmly support the Yoon Seok-yeol administration so that it can perform national affairs well by gathering the energy of the people and party members."