Minister Kim Yun-duk of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport was reported to prosecutors on suspicion that he intentionally excluded September real estate statistics when announcing the Oct. 15 measures.
Lee Jong-bae, a Seoul city council member from the People Power Party, on the 9th filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against the Minister on charges including falsifying official documents, using falsified documents, and abuse of authority.
The city council member said, "If the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) had reflected the September statistics, the five districts of Dobong, Eunpyeong, Jungnang, Gangbuk, and Geumcheon would have been excluded from the regulated areas," and added, "Please conduct a thorough investigation into whether MOLIT intentionally omitted them."
Earlier, Reform Party floor leader Cheon Ha-ram noted at a press conference on the 5th that "the nationwide housing price trend survey for September was scheduled to be released on the day the Oct. 15 measures were announced." Cheon said, "After the government had already decided to include all of Seoul and other areas in regulated zones, it excluded the unfavorable September statistics that did not fit the conclusion and selectively used data only through August."
The Minister countered this at the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts' comprehensive policy inquiry on the 7th, saying, "We have been preparing (the measures since before the September statistics were released) from before Chuseok."