The People Power Party has called on Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok, who is embroiled in allegations of illegal political funds and suspicious financial transactions, as well as Hanju Lee, chairperson of the National Policy Planning Committee who faces accusations of real estate speculation, to "make a decision about their positions."
On the 14th, party spokesperson Ho Junseok issued a statement saying, "Nominee Kim has two previous convictions for receiving illegal political funds amounting to hundreds of millions of won." He continued, "Now, there are allegations that he received illegal funds again from an acquaintance who provided illicit money in those cases, this time disguising it as a loan. That acquaintance also served as co-chair of the Sports Committee in Lee Jaemyung's presidential campaign." He criticized the situation accordingly.
Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok is speaking at the hearing preparation office set up at the Financial Supervisory Service Training Institute in Tonguidong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 13th. Photo by Jo Yongjun
Regarding Chairperson Lee, the spokesperson pointed out, "Over 30 years, he purchased apartments and commercial properties in redevelopment areas for speculative purposes and made profits of several billion won." He added, "It was revealed that he bought one commercial property in a redevelopment area for each of his two sons?then a middle school and an elementary school student?as Children's Day gifts. He also established a family real estate company to reduce taxes and underreport the assets of public officials."
He went on to say, "The actions of these two individuals, who have been appointed to key national positions, blatantly reveal the hypocrisy and double standards of fake leftists. Such figures cannot be allowed to lead the affairs of the Republic of Korea." He emphasized, "President Lee must withdraw Kim's nomination and Lee's appointment, and both individuals must promptly decide on their positions."
Hanju Lee, head of the Democratic Research Institute of the Democratic Party of Korea, is listening to the remarks of Chandae Park, acting party leader and floor leader, at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 5th. Photo by Yonhap News
Meanwhile, nominee Kim Minseok explained on Facebook the previous day that he had "recently taken out a loan and fully repaid" the 140 million won private debt listed in his personnel hearing property disclosure. He further clarified that the borrowed money "was used to pay progressive taxes," and that "the repayment deadline had been extended because public debts such as fines, taxes, and additional charges were prioritized for repayment."
Chairperson Lee also actively sought to clarify the allegations. In a statement released on the 12th, he said, "I find it difficult to agree with the view that all the real estate owned or previously owned by myself or my family should be understood as speculation or hereditary wealth transfer." He added, "There was no intentional evasion of gift tax when transferring real estate to my children."
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