"Clumsy Contract Due to Inexperience" Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Apologizes for Controversial Remarks on Jeonse Fraud

Apology at the Hearing on Support Measures for Jeonse Fraud Victims on the 25th
Opposition Party: "The Government Must Enact a Special Law to Support Jeonse Fraud Victims"

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo is responding to questions from committee members at a hearing on support measures for victims of Jeonse fraud held on the 25th at the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, which was held without ruling party members present. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Regarding Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo's remark that victims of jeonse fraud "may have carelessly signed contracts due to lack of experience," he appeared at the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee's hearing on support measures for jeonse fraud victims on the 25th and apologized.

He explained, "I used an unrefined expression while explaining the resolution of information asymmetry, which is one of the causes of jeonse fraud," and clarified, "It was not meant to imply that the responsibility for this situation lies in personal fault."

He continued, "If anyone was hurt by my words, I sincerely apologize," adding, "I deeply regret that unrefined expressions were mixed in."

At a press briefing on the 13th of last month, Minister Park, while explaining supplementary support measures for jeonse fraud victims, said, "Young people renting jeonse may have carelessly signed contracts due to lack of experience, but we will provide information that can be fully utilized when carefully examined." This statement drew criticism for seemingly placing some responsibility on the youth.

At the hearing, Democratic Party lawmakers strongly criticized Minister Park's remarks as secondary victimization. Democratic Party lawmaker Lee So-young pointed out, "We call it jeonse fraud, but it is not a fraud case; it is a 'social accident' caused by the failure to operate the jeonse system safely," adding, "Most victims conducted normal transactions with the help of licensed real estate agents. This accident did not occur because the victims were at fault, but due to the government's and political circles' mistakes."

Minister Park responded, "My understanding is that jeonse fraud occurred due to various institutional and market circumstances, not because of the victims," and said, "I remain committed to promptly creating and implementing feasible and effective relief measures to help those suffering from this social problem."

At the hearing, Maeng Sung-kyu, chair of the Land Committee from the Democratic Party, urged the swift submission of a revised special law on jeonse fraud victim support, stating, "If the government and ruling party do not submit a bill reflecting their opinions, the committee will have no choice but to prepare and process its own draft." Minister Park pledged to submit the special law amendment bill in the form of a member's bill as soon as possible.