Park Ji-won is a writer for The Korea Times who has been covering a wide range of topics from Korea’s culture to its politics. An avid journalism enthusiast to the core, Ji-won brings a thoughtful and unique perspective to every topic she covers. On weekends, you'll often find her contemplating life’s purpose on a yoga mat — with a cup of quality tea in hand. A native Korean speaker by birth and fluent in English through her work, she went to college in Japan and is learning Chinese and French — hoping to add Polish, Russian and Thai to the mix.
LKP leadership visits Mokpo
Rep. Na Kyung-won, center, looks around buildings with LKP lawmakers including Rep. Han Sun-kyo in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, Tuesday, as part of an inspection visit to the city to verify the allegation of former Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker Sohn Hye-won who is suspected of benefiting from land speculation there. / Yonhap
By Park Ji-won
By Park Ji-won
A group of decision-makers of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) made a surprise visit to Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, Tuesday, in a symbolic move to call for a thorough investigation into property investments connected to former Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker Sohn Hye-won there.
Referring to heritage status granted for an old town where Sohn's relatives and aides bought buildings, LKP floor leader Rep. Na Kyung-won said, “Those plans should be carried out for citizens, but it is shameful to see it did not happen so.”
“We are here to urge people that those plans should not benefit a specific person or family.”
The move came after Sohn quit the ruling party amid growing criticism from the opposition bloc against her and the DPK over her alleged property speculation. Sohn said she will hold a press conference in Mokpo, Wednesday, to make her case.
Local media outlets including SBS, a local broadcaster which first reported the allegations, claimed she used insider information gained from her post as a member of the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee to have her relatives and aides buy about 20 historical buildings in Mokpo. Sohn denied the allegations and pledged to file defamation suits against the media and risk her life, property and seat if the speculation was true.
Na and LKP members were briefed by Mokpo Mayor Kim Jong-sik and Mokpo City Council Speaker Kim Yo-han at Mokpo City Hall over the issue. They looked around the streets of Mokpo near Changseongjang, a historic building allegedly bought by Sohn's aides.
The LKP, meanwhile, hinted at the possibility of boycotting February's parliamentary sessions or launching a parliamentary investigation and special counsel investigation into the allegation.