Minister Kim Yun-duk of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on the 28th that he was "sorry" regarding the controversy over former First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) Lee Sang-kyung's recent resignation.
The Minister stated accordingly while meeting with reporters during a visit to the Seongsu 1 District redevelopment project site in Seongsu-dong 1-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on this day.
The Minister said, "Public officials must keep in mind once again that when they draft and implement policies and make remarks, they must meet the public's expectations."
He continued, "There have been many unavoidable choices in carrying out our policies," adding, "In that regard, we ask the public for understanding."
On a question about the appointment of the First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), the Minister said, "There is nothing specific that has been specially reviewed yet," adding, "We need to appoint a vice minister as soon as possible, and since the president of Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH) has also expressed an intent to resign, we will move quickly to appoint successors so that the public does not worry about the execution capacity for dwellings supply."
Earlier, immediately after the Oct. 15 real estate measures were announced—which designated all of Seoul and 12 locations in Gyeonggi Province as regulated areas (adjustment target areas and speculative overheating districts) and as land transaction permit zones—the former vice minister appeared on the YouTube channel "Bu-ik-nam" and said, "If the market stabilizes and home prices fall, you can buy then," sparking controversy.
It also emerged that the former vice minister purchased a 117-square-meter apartment in Pangyo Prugio Grand Bleu in Baekhyeon-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, for 3.35 billion won in July last year and, three months later, signed a jeonse lease for 1.48 billion won, intensifying criticism amid suspicions of "gap investment."
Subsequently, the former vice minister expressed an intent to resign on the 24th, and President Lee Jae-myung accepted the resignation on the 25th, one day later.
Meanwhile, regarding abolishing or easing the reconstruction windfall gains recovery system (Jaechohwan), the Minister said, "(Jaechohwan) requires a legal amendment," adding, "It is desirable for the National Assembly to discuss it, and if discussions proceed in the National Assembly, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) will also participate."
He added, "At this stage, nothing has been specifically decided, nor have concrete discussions advanced."