Chungchugwan Director Kim Sang-ho of the Blue House said on the 10th regarding the controversy over the unauthorized extension of the dwellings he owns, "When I purchased it, part of the parking lot had been converted into a studio apartment," and "I did not recognize that the section was an unregistered structure."
Kim delivered this position after reports said the first floor of the multiunit housing he owns in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, had been illegally converted for residential use and that he was earning rental revenue from it.
Kim explained, "I did not directly add on to the building or order an addition. I learned of the issue while looking for a tenant."
He added, "Since 2018, while continuously trying to sell the dwellings, I considered burdens arising from the increase in the number of dwellings and therefore failed to actively carry out the related procedures," and said, "I take seriously that, in the end, I failed to proceed with the necessary administrative steps in a timely manner."
Kim shared a policy example in which Gangnam-gu, following Seoul's increase in floor area ratio in June last year, decided to legalize small buildings that had been expanded without permission, and explained, "We plan to actively pursue legalization procedures after reviews by experts such as architects," adding, "We will faithfully carry out the necessary measures in accordance with relevant laws and administrative procedures."
A former journalist, Kim first connected with President Lee Jae-myung in 2017 when Lee was the mayor of Seongnam and handled public affairs for a long period. After Lee took office as president, Kim served for about a year as the first Chungchugwan director, then recently submitted a resignation letter for personal reasons.