Reps. Sohn, Park exchange barbs over property investments
By Kim Bo-eun
Park Jie-won
Sohn Hye-won
The controversy over a former ruling party lawmaker's alleged property speculation is growing, as it has pitted former supporters against the suspected lawmaker, producing calls for a National Assembly hearing and possibly a special investigation.
Rep. Park Jie-won of the minor progressive Party for Democracy and Peace referred to Rep. Sohn Hye-won, Monday, who left the Democratic Party of Korea, Sunday, as an “icon of property speculation,” on a radio show. Park, whose electoral district includes Mokpo, had initially backed Sohn.
This came in response to Sohn's remark a day earlier. She stated Park was an “icon of betrayal,” in a press conference in which she announced her departure from the DPK over the allegations.
Park said the reason he withdrew his earlier support for Sohn was because of new revelations. He also said Sohn should be investigated by the prosecution.
“Sohn told me she bought two buildings; and even when there were reports she purchased nine buildings, I did not think it was property speculation, because the amount of the purchases was not significant,” he said. “But if she purchased 29 buildings, who could not see this as property speculation?”
Sohn is alleged to have coordinated her relatives and aides to purchase properties in an old district of the southwestern district of Mokpo before it became designated a cultural asset site.
She is suspected of having utilized information she acquired while serving on the National Assembly Culture Committee. The property values reportedly tripled after the designation.
Sohn has denied the allegations, stating she would give up her Assembly seat if the allegations were found to be true. The lawmaker also said she would take legal action against local broadcaster SBS which first reported on the allegations, as well as other media outlets, for defamation.
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party is demanding the National Assembly hold a hearing on the case.