Lee Hyung-il "Sorry for Non-Residence Controversy"… Ruling Party Also Calls It "Embarrassing to the Public"

[Anchor]

At the confirmation hearing for Lee Hyung-il, nominee for Minister of Economy and Finance, his ownership of a "non-resident single home" sparked controversy. Nominee Lee apologized amid criticism that this contradicts the government's "residence-oriented" real estate policy, while voices within the ruling party also responded that it was "embarrassing."

Park Chan-beom reports.

[Reporter]

The central issue at the National Assembly confirmation hearing for Lee Hyung-il, nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, was his ownership of a "non-resident single home."

[Park Soo-young / People Power Party Lawmaker: "There is a saying that 'houses are not for buying, but for living in.' What is your stance, nominee?"]

[Lee Hyung-il / Nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance: "I believe it is necessary for a residence-oriented housing culture to take root...."]

[Park Soo-young / People Power Party Lawmaker: "During the 17 years you owned (the apartment), how many months did you actually live there?"]

[Lee Hyung-il / Nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance: "I lived there for about four months."]

Nominee Lee actually resided in the apartment in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, for only four months after purchasing it in 2009 for 420 million won.

The apartment has entered reconstruction, with capital gains exceeding 1 billion won expected.

While the opposition leveled fierce criticism that this conflicts with the current administration's "residence-oriented" real estate policy stance, the ruling party reacted as follows:

[Moon Jin-seog / Democratic Party Lawmaker: "In any case, not living there is somewhat embarrassing to the public, isn't it?"]

[Lee Hyung-il / Nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance: "I feel truly sorry for causing concern to the public over the non-residence issue."]

At the confirmation hearing for Lee So-young, nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups, her ownership of a "non-resident single home" apartment in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun District, Seoul, also came under scrutiny.

[Choi Soo-jin / People Power Party Lawmaker: "So that means you did not actually reside there for about seven years, correct?"]

[Lee So-young / Nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups: "That is correct."]

Nominee Lee explained that she moved to Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, to run in an election, denying allegations of "gap investment."

Today (September 16), confirmation hearings will be held at the National Assembly for Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport nominee Hong Ji-seon.

(Video by Lee Seung-hwan and Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Nam Il)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.