Hansung Sook Addresses 'Indirect Gifting' Allegations: "I Realized Public Official Standards... My Mother Will Pay Gift Tax"

Hansung Sook, nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups, addressed allegations of "de facto indirect gifting" regarding her transfer of an apartment in Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, to her mother, stating, "I will ensure that my mother pays the gift tax."

Hansung Sook, nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups, is delivering an opening statement at the confirmation hearing held at the plenary session of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Committee on July 15, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the confirmation hearing held on July 15, 2025, at the plenary session of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Committee in Yeouido, Seoul, Han said, "I have realized that there were aspects that did not meet the standards expected of a public official," and gave this response. She added, "If I become minister, I will secure the necessary funds by selling Naver stocks and stocks inherited by my mother from my father, so that the gift tax can be paid."

Previously, Han was embroiled in controversy over allegations that she effectively made an "indirect gift" by allowing her mother to reside in the Jamsil-dong apartment free of charge. Han and her mother had lived together in this apartment since October 2018, but in March 2022, Han moved to a single-family house in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and registered her mother as the head of household for the Jamsil apartment.

According to the current Gift Tax Act, if assets such as cash, real estate, or stocks are received free of charge, they are subject to gift tax and must be reported to the relevant tax office within three months from the end of the month in which the gift was made. Considering the appraised value of the apartment announced in May 2022 was approximately 2.3 billion won, it has been pointed out that Han's mother should pay about 14 million won in gift tax on a gifted asset value of 170 million won.

As these allegations surfaced, Han explained, "I was not sensitive to the issue of having to establish a rental relationship with my mother, who is over 80 years old," and clarified, "There was no intention of indirect gifting."