Embattled presidential aide faces new allegation

By Kang Seung-woo

The embattled senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, Woo Byung-woo, is facing a fresh allegation involving his wife and her sisters.

According to local news reports, Woo’s wife and sisters-in-law purchased farm land in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, in November 2014 for 740 million won ($656,000) ― 37 million won lower than its registered value. Real estate brokers say this is uncommon and could have been to evade tax.

The land seller, identified as Lee, owns a lot of land near Giheung Country Club, which belongs to Woo’s in-laws, and he is reported to have made about 1 billion won over the past seven years by selling his land in the area.

However, despite his earnings and land ownership, Lee has lived in a rented house for the past 20 years, arousing suspicion that Woo’s in-laws own the land under Lee’s name to dodge taxes. It is unknown whether Woo played any role in the transaction.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, it is investigating the land deal.

This is the latest in a series of corruption allegations surrounding Woo, who has rejected calls from political parties to quit immediately.

The allegations include asking online gaming company Nexon Korea to buy real estate owned by his in-laws through arrested prosecutor Jin Kyung-joon, helping his son get special treatment during military service and providing secret legal counsel for a jailed businessman.

In response to the new allegation, People’s Party floor leader Park Jie-won repeated a call for President Park Geun-hye to dismiss Woo.

“The gift that President Park, who returns from her vacation next week, can give the people is to dismiss Woo,” Park said in a party meeting.

Earlier this week, Cheong Wa Dae launched a special investigation into the corruption accusations involving Woo. Opposition parties suspect the probe is to protect Woo from growing calls for his resignation.

Meanwhile, according to the presidential office, Woo returned to work Thursday from a three-day vacation.