On the 27th, Chairperson Lee Eog-weon of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) addressed criticism that Lee had engaged in a "gap investment" in a reconstruction apartment in Gaepo-dong, Seoul, saying, "Because I went overseas, there was a part where I could not stay in the country," while adding, "I understand that the questions are not to the individual Lee Eog-weon but to the public official Lee Eog-weon, and I take them very seriously."
Lee made the remarks during a National Assembly audit of state affairs when Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Hyeon-jeong asked a question regarding real estate measures, saying there was "a point raised about the Chairperson's dwellings." Lee said, "I am fully aware that, by the public's standards, there are many points I must take deeply to heart."
Lee purchased apartments slated for reconstruction twice, in 2005 and 2013. In particular, the Jugong apartment in Gaepo-dong purchased in 2013 reached a market price in the 4 billion won range after reconstruction. However, due to postings such as serving as minister-counselor at the Permanent Mission to the U.N., Lee did not actually reside there, drawing criticism that this was effectively a gap investment.