PM Designate Grilled over Real Estate Speculation

At the confirmation hearing for the appointment of new Prime Minister Chang Sang, lawmakers raised suspicions about her possible real estate speculation and her son`s US citizenship. This parliamentary hearing is the first of its kind since the confirmation-hearing act was enacted in June 2000. Lawmakers from Grand National Party (GNP) claimed that Acting Prime Minister Chang changed her address three times from 1979 to 1987 in possible attempts at real estate speculation.

Rep. Shim Jae-chul of the GNP said, "From September 1979 to February 1987, Chang lived in Mugunghwa Apartment in Daehyun-dong, but moved to three different places-Chamwon-dong, Banpo-dong and Mok-dong- in disguise by changing only her resident registration."

Acting Prime Rep Shim also said, "Premier designate Chang lived in an apartment in Daehyun-dong from 1979. But as registration of ownership was postponed, she was categorized as houseless and given the right to buy a new apartment in Chamwon-dong. She also manipulated as if she lived in Mok-dong for one year in an alleged attempt to meet the condition that one should live in a given area for one year to be given the right to buy newly constructed apartment"

In response, premier designate Chang denied the allegation, saying, "My mother-in-law took control over the family asset. It was not until three days ago that I found out that my resident address has been changed that many times." She also explained, "Since the owner of the apartment my family lived in went bankrupt. My family had to find somewhere to live. I assume that`s why my mother-in-law changed resident registration. In case of Mok-dong apartment, I could not move for a year because my family had some difficulties at that time.

Lee Ju-young of the GNP grilled her on her son`s US citizenship. He said that the resident registration of Chang`s eldest son was not eradicated even after he gave up the Korean nationality. He asked her if she used legal loopholes so that her son could benefit from the health care insurance after he gave up the Korean nationality.

Chang said, "I am so sorry for my carelessness that I didn`t remove my son`s resident registration."

Chung Yong-hak of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) and Lee Byeong-suk of the GNP said, "Chang has chaired a charity named `Friends of Love`, whose honorary director general is First Lady Lee Hee-ho. Lee Su-dong, director-general of the Peace Foundation for the Asia Pacific Region was one of the promoters of the charity. Nine out of 16 directors of the group entered the government offices, and about 10 billion won was donated to the charity group." They asked why she became the member of the group and if she has any special plan to investigate the charity group after she is appointed as Prime Minister.

Chang said, "I did not want to be a member, but six other university presidents joined the group. I also thought the group has good intention to help poor children. And I don`t know other problems."

Young-Chan Yoon Sung-Won Park yyc11@donga.com swpark@donga.com