The Democratic Party of Korea's Gyeongnam Provincial Party Committee for the Miryang, Uiryeong, and Changnyeong regions recently called for a fact-finding investigation by the Provincial Council into Lee Kyung-jae, a member of the Provincial Assembly from the People Power Party, who has been embroiled in a controversy over violations of the Farmland Act.
On the 24th, four regional committees of the provincial party held a press conference at the Gyeongnam Provincial Council briefing room, demanding ▲ the convening of the Ethics Committee of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council regarding Lee's violation of the Farmland Act and allegations of farmland speculation ▲ a fact-finding investigation by the People Power Party's Gyeongnam Provincial Party and a public apology and expulsion if illegality is confirmed ▲ and an investigation into loans related to Changnyeong Nonghyup.
The Democratic Party of Korea Gyeongnam Provincial Party Committee for the Miryang, Uiryeong, and Changnyeong regions is holding a press conference urging a fact-finding investigation into Lee Kyung-jae, a member of the Provincial Assembly from the People Power Party. [Photo by Lee Se-ryeong]
They stated, “In August 2013, while working at Nonghyup, Lee purchased 20,029 square meters of farmland in Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongbuk, which is a four-hour round trip by car from Changnyeong-eup, and this land was designated as a water source protection area, leading to its acquisition by the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office with a high compensation payment. We have reasonable suspicion that he purchased the land after receiving prior government land compensation information.”
They continued, “In July 2016, he purchased 58,418 square meters of farmland consisting of 11 plots in Chojeon-ri, Jinrye-myeon, Gimhae City, together with acquaintances from Changnyeong, for 3,967.1 million KRW, and over 80% of this was financed through loans from Changnyeong Nonghyup, where he worked. Even looking at just his 6,000 square meters of land, the current official land price is 760 million KRW, which is more than 300 million KRW higher than the purchase price.”
They also noted, “The land he reported as being cultivated by himself was confirmed to be farmed by local farmers who paid rent.”
The regional committees emphasized, “Lee admitted to violating the Farmland Act regarding 2,080 square meters of paddy fields in Hari, Changnyeong-eup, which he purchased with his wife in June 2021. A thorough investigation must be conducted not only on the violation of the Farmland Act but also on potential conflicts of interest and illegal loans during his tenure at Nonghyup.”
Lee, who was elected as a Provincial Assembly member for Changnyeong District 1 in the by-election last April, explained that although he did not personally farm some of the farmland in question, he had no intention of speculation.
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