Clash Over 'Evictee Housing Allotment': "Speculation Frame" vs. "Lack of Social Experience"

[Anchor]

During the confirmation hearing for Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul, which continued late into the night, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over allegations that he received a special housing allotment reserved for displaced evictees through fraudulent address registration. Shouting erupted as Kang hit back at an opposition lawmaker, accusing them of "framing us as real estate speculators."

Kim Bo-mi reports.

[Reporter]

Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul faces allegations of "fraudulent address registration" during the process of obtaining a special housing supply designated for evictees in Cheonwang-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, in 2008, and acquiring an apartment in Umyeon-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, in 2012.

Kang, who maintained that the apartment acquisition process was legitimate, protested to Representative Chun Ha-ram of the Reform Party, who spearheaded the allegations:

[Kang Shin-chul / Defense Minister Nominee: "That is just how you are framing it. When looking at market value, it was a loss hard to even describe. You have turned all of us into real estate speculators, haven't you?"]

Shouting also broke out between the rival parties as Democratic Party Representative Park Sun-won defended Kang and criticized Representative Chun.

[Park Sun-won / Democratic Party Representative: "It seems you do not know because you lack social experience, so just say, 'It seems to be a case I am not familiar with'!"]

[Chun Ha-ram / Reform Party Representative: "I have had plenty of social experience myself! I deserve an apology; is that something you say to a fellow lawmaker, telling them they lack social experience?"]

The hearing also saw a barrage of criticism over the fact that Kang's son purchased a commercial property in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, in June after borrowing over 700 million won from his maternal aunt and uncle—information that had been omitted from the documents Kang submitted to the National Assembly.

Kang stated that he was unaware of his son's purchase and apologized, calling the omission of the documents an oversight.

[Sung Il-jong / People Power Party Representative: "Your son has only about 70 million won in assets, yet he bought a commercial property in Yangji Village for about 700 million won. Were you aware of this?"]

[Kang Shin-chul / Defense Minister Nominee: "As a father, it is difficult to interfere in every detail of the financial life of a 30-year-old son."]

Regarding the deployment of troops to the Strait of Hormuz, Kang replied that he understands nothing has been decided. As for the integration of military academies, he expressed his support, stating, "I am convinced that through 'integrated education,' we can win future warfare."

(Video by Oh Young-chun, Lee Seung-hwan, Shin Dong-hwan, Kim Yong-woo | Video Editing by Jang Hyun-ki)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.