The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
  • Economic Essay Contest
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Sat, January 23, 2021 | 22:58
-------------------------
Prosecution begins probe into suspicions over presidential retirement home
Posted : 2011-10-20 16:40
Updated : 2011-10-20 16:40
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Prosecutors launched an investigation Thursday into allegations of irregularities in President Lee Myung-bak's controversial project to build a retirement residence for himself.

The project has been the target of opposition attacks following revelations that the land for the site in Naegok-dong, on the southern edge of Seoul, was purchased under the name of Lee's son, Si-hyung. The project also came under fire due to the purchase of a large plot of land with state funds for use as security facilities for the residence.

The probe came a day after the main opposition Democratic Party filed a complaint with the prosecution, accusing Presidential Chief of Staff Yim Tae-hee, Lee Si-hyung and three others of squandering government money and using the wrong name in a real estate transaction.

The opposition has claimed that the presidential office purchased the site for the security facilities for too high a price in what it said was a scheme to help Lee Si-hyung buy the plot of land for the residence for a below-market price.

The presidential office has flatly rejected the allegations.

It has stressed that the residence site was purchased under Lee Si-hyung's name for security reasons as a contract bearing the president's name would lead to the site's disclosure and cause other problems.

In an effort to calm criticism, the office said last week that President Lee would take over ownership of the land from his son and that it would consider downsizing the plot of land reserved for security facilities.

Despite the explanations, opposition parties kept up their attack.

On Monday, President Lee ordered an "all-out review" of the project in a move seen effectively as its cancellation. Aides said Lee is considering moving into his existing private house in Nonhyeon-dong, a bustling neighborhood in southern Seoul, after leaving office in early 2013.
The presidential security service chief in charge of the project has offered to resign. (Yonhap)










 
WooriBank
 
  • World Trade Organization rules in favor of South Korea in lawsuit against US
  • [INTERVIEW] Ex-US envoy calls China 'malign influence,' urges Seoul to join new alliance
  • Samsung Electronic seeks Intel chip outsourcing deal
  • Woman gets suspended jail term for assaulting mother-in-law
  • Korea gears up to start COVID-19 vaccinations next month
  • [INTERVIEW] Climate change revolutionaries: Why students in Korea hit the streets
  • Cannonball Joe
  • Growing number of Koreans refuse life-sustaining treatment
  • Biden orders masks, travel clampdown in new war on COVID-19
  • [INTERVIEW] Korea urged to brace for side effects of 'Bidenomics'
  • Seolhyun's first social media posts since AOA bullying scandal get mixed reactions Seolhyun's first social media posts since AOA bullying scandal get mixed reactions
  • Why have K-pop dance practice videos become so popular? Why have K-pop dance practice videos become so popular?
  • [K-POP INTERVIEW] What are MOMOLAND's comfort foods? [VIDEO] [K-POP INTERVIEW] What are MOMOLAND's comfort foods? [VIDEO]
  • Korean National Ballet, KBS criticized for dangerous filming location Korean National Ballet, KBS criticized for dangerous filming location
  • [INTERVIEW] Model-turned-actress Jang Yoon-ju talks about becoming fearless on screen [INTERVIEW] Model-turned-actress Jang Yoon-ju talks about becoming fearless on screen
DARKROOM
  • Biden takes office as 46th president

    Biden takes office as 46th president

  • Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape

    Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape

  • Second Trump impeachment

    Second Trump impeachment

  • Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

    Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

  • Our children deserve better (Part 2)

    Our children deserve better (Part 2)

WooriBank
  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Ombudsman
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright