[2025 Audit] Minister Kim Yoonduk Apologizes Again Over Lee Sangkyung Controversy

Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, has once again expressed his apologies regarding the controversy over former First Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Lee Sangkyung's remarks, "Buy a house when prices fall," and his spouse's high-priced apartment gap investment.

On October 29, during the comprehensive parliamentary audit by the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, Minister Kim stated, "I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my sincere apologies for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's actions that did not meet public expectations during the process in which the First Vice Minister issued an apology and expressed his intention to resign." Minister Kim also said "I am sorry" on the previous day while visiting the reconstruction site of Seongsu District 1 in Seongsu-dong 1-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, in relation to the same issue.

Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, former Vice Minister Lee appeared on a YouTube broadcast immediately after the October 15 real estate policy announcement and said, "People are stressed because they want to buy a house now," and "If the government's policies bring down housing prices, you can buy then." These comments sparked backlash for offering unrealistic advice that ignored the anxiety of those without homes, and public sentiment quickly turned cold.

The controversy intensified further when it was revealed that his spouse had purchased a 117-square-meter unit in 'Pangyo Prugio Grandble' in Bundang, Seongnam for 3.35 billion won last year, using a jeonse deposit of 1.48 billion won. Although former Vice Minister Lee issued an apology via a live broadcast on the ministry's YouTube channel, criticism continued regarding both the format and content, ultimately leading him to express his intention to resign on October 24.

As the controversy grew, the spokesperson (Grade 1), who oversees public relations at the ministry, was placed on standby, taking responsibility for Lee's YouTube appearance and media response. In response to related questions, Minister Kim said, "There are also personal circumstances involved in the personnel action, so I must say it is difficult to report specific details at this time."

Assemblywoman Lee Yeonhee of the Democratic Party of Korea addressed opposition criticism, "Why is the spokesperson on standby when it was the vice minister who caused the problem?" She explained, "Initially, the vice minister planned to hold a press conference in the press room, including a Q&A session, but the format was changed to a unilateral announcement via the YouTube channel, which created procedural issues." She added, "Given the responsibility for this procedural lapse, the standby order is an appropriate measure."