Rep. Joo Jin-woo flags farmland alterations by nominee Lee Yong-chul ahead of confirmation hearing

Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party on Thursday raised suspicions of farmland speculation against Justice Minister nominee Lee Yong-chul, boldly claiming that the nominee is eliminating related evidence ahead of his National Assembly confirmation hearing, where his qualifications will be reviewed before appointment. At a press conference the previous day, Rep. Joo claimed the nominee purchased a plot of farmland in Bonghyeon-ri, Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, for 70 million won in May 2021, and that he violated the Building Act by illegally installing a container on the site, which is still registered as farmland.

On Facebook on Thursday, Rep. Joo shared photos and video from a tip-off, saying, "This morning, several workers are cleaning up and tidying the farmland at 69-2, Bonghyeon-ri, Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, owned by Lee Yong-chul." The 29-second video shows three men moving chairs and other items placed in front of the container.

Responding to the explanation that the nominee's family had cultivated the land, Rep. Joo said, "Can we believe that this nominee, who worked as a lawyer in Seoul and headed the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, personally farmed the land?" He added, "He bought the farmland and forest to attach to the country house he gifted to his daughter." He went on to say it was "a classic case of seeking to profit from market price gains," similar to the case involving Prime Minister Han Sung-sook.