Controversy is growing over Rep. Yun Hee-suk of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) after she declared she would give up her Assembly seat over her father’s speculative purchase of farmland in the new administrative town of Sejong. Yun said that though she had never been involved in any illegal real estate dealings, she would forsake her seat to assume her political responsibility.
Yun’s move has triggered disputes in political circles. The PPP praised her for displaying humility based on common sense, while the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) criticized her for playing a “political gambit.” Yun’s father bought 10,871 square meters of farmland at about 800 million won ($687,000) in 2016. The land price is estimated to have more than doubled to 1.8 billion won now. Her father is suspected of violating the Farmland Act which allows only farmers to buy farmland. He has reportedly never tilled the land by himself, raising suspicions that his purchase was for speculative gain.
Now the question is whether her father purchased the farmland by using confidential information leaked by someone, probably Rep. Yun or other family members. Yun faces an allegation that she might have obtained inside information about a land development plan near the farmland her father bought, during her time working as a researcher at the state-run Korea Development Institute (KDI) which conducted a feasibility study on a plan to build an industrial complex there. Another allegation is that Yun’s brother-in-law, who served as an aide to the minister of economy and finance, could have leaked details about the development plan to Yun’s father, leading him to buy the farmland for speculative purposes.
The DPK has launched its offensive at Yun, dubbing her a “hypocrite” who was adroitly trying to turn the situation in her favor. In swift reaction, Yun convened a press conference Aug. 27 to renew her claim of innocence. In an apparent bid to dramatize her assertion, Yun asked the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to investigate her for any direct involvement in her father’s real estate purchase. Yoon said the DPK lawmakers attacking her should be held accountable if she is cleared of all charges. Yet, Yun has invited criticism because her case is not subject to a CIO investigation as it took place when she was serving as KDI’s research department director, which was not a high-ranking position then.
For starters, the DPK and the PPP have been engaged in political wrangling over Yun’s case. They have yet to hold a vote in a plenary session to decide whether to accept her resignation. The PPP cannot deflect criticism as it arbitrarily cleared Yun of the speculation allegations from the beginning. On Aug. 24, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) identified Yun and 11 other PPP lawmakers suspected of having engaged in irregular real estate dealings.
The PPP should first apologize for clearing Yun of the allegations hastily despite simmering suspicions. Worse still, the party has yet to punish its lawmakers suspected of property speculation. PPP leader Lee Jun-seok vowed to convene an ethics committee to discuss possible punishment for them. Yet, he has triggered skepticism as the PPP has not yet set up such a committee. The DPK also has yet to punish its lawmakers entangled in illicit real estate transactions.
Four of 12 DPK lawmakers, who were also found by the anti-corruption watchdog to have engaged in speculative property transactions, are still refusing requests that they leave the party. The party withdrew its decision to expel three lawmakers including Rep. Woo Sang-ho, citing the results of police probes which cleared them of suspicions. However, the DPK should punish its lawmakers strictly if their speculation allegations are confirmed.
Against this backdrop, the police-led special government investigation team should immediately question the rival parties’ lawmakers over the speculation allegations. We urge the parties to stop futile political haggling and cooperate closely with the upcoming investigations.