High-Ranking Officials’ Asset Disclosure... Who Topped the List with 11.48 Billion Won?

Asset Disclosure of 44 High-Ranking Officials
Kim Samhwa, President of the Gender Equality Education Institute, Ranks First

Kim Samhwa, President of the Korean Institute for Gender Equality Promotion and Education and former 20th National Assembly member, reported assets totaling approximately 11.48 billion won, making her the top-ranking public official in terms of declared assets for June.

Kim Samhwa, the new President of the Korean Institute for Gender Equality Promotion and Education. Ministry of Gender Equality and Family

On June 27, the Government Public Officials Ethics Committee published the asset disclosures of high-ranking public officials in the electronic official gazette. This month's disclosures pertain to 44 high-ranking officials whose positions changed between March 2 and April 1 of this year. The group includes 11 newly appointed officials, 7 promoted officials, and 22 retirees.

Among current high-ranking officials, Kim Samhwa, President of the Korean Institute for Gender Equality Promotion and Education, reported the largest amount of assets during this period, declaring a total of approximately 11.48 billion won in her name and her family's names. Kim reported real estate holdings worth about 4.64 billion won, including an apartment in Seocho-gu, Seoul owned by herself and her spouse, as well as farmland in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province. She also holds 3.6 billion won in deposits and 3.4 billion won in securities. Her mother, eldest son, and second son refused to disclose their assets, citing independent living arrangements.

The second-highest assets among current officials were reported by Park Geontae, Vice President of Korea Expressway Corporation, who declared 7.92891 billion won. Park reported an apartment in Jung-gu, Daegu in his own name, an apartment in Songpa-gu, Seoul and a neighborhood facility in Yongsan-gu in his spouse's name, totaling 2.5678 billion won in buildings, 2.12531 billion won in land, 2.4723 billion won in deposits, and 1.06958 billion won in securities. He also reported liabilities of 353.53 million won.

Yang Jaesu, President of the Korea Data Industry Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Science and ICT, ranked third among those required to disclose, with assets totaling 4.53 billion won. Yang reported 1.96 billion won in real estate under his and his spouse's names, and 2.25 billion won in deposits. He also declared 8.74 million won in Bitcoin under his own name.

Among retirees, Park Namseo, former Mayor of Yeongju (approximately 8.4 billion won), Yoon Hyejeong, former President of the Korea Data Industry Promotion Agency (approximately 6.9 billion won), and Lee Chungsang, former Standing Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission (approximately 6.8 billion won), ranked as the top three in terms of assets.