South Korean politician Han Dong-hoon secures a 70 million won settlement through a lawsuit involving accusations of a drinking party incident
In a recent development, Kim Eui-kyeom has been appointed as the head of the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency, a position of vice minister-level importance. This agency is responsible for overseeing the development of the Saemangeum region, a vast area spanning 409 square kilometers and covering three cities in North Jeolla Province[1].
Kim, a former spokesperson for the South Korean presidential office and a former Democratic Party lawmaker, was appointed on July 20, 2025. However, his appointment has sparked controversy due to his past involvement in real estate speculation. During his tenure at the Blue House, he was popularly known as “Mr. Heukseok” after a high-profile property purchase in Seoul’s Heukseok-dong area[1]. He admitted to investing in redevelopment property and left public office in 2019 amid related criticism.
Observers have also questioned Kim's qualifications for managing such a significant national development project, given that the Saemangeum project covers an area far beyond his local ties[1]. Furthermore, in 2025, Kim was ordered by the Seoul Central District Court to pay damages in a defamation suit related to false allegations he made about a high-profile drinking party involving prominent political and legal figures. The court found that the allegations publicly raised by Kim and others were false, further contributing to his controversial public profile[2].
The article, originally written in Korean, was translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. The translation was then edited by a native English-speaking editor to ensure accuracy and clarity. The article can be accessed via modal windows, which include options to read, cancel, or close the window. The modal window can be closed by pressing escape or by clicking the close option.
[1] YONHAP News Agency, "Kim Eui-kyeom appointed as head of Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency", July 21, 2025. [2] YONHAP News Agency, "Kim Eui-kyeom ordered to pay damages in defamation suit", March 1, 2025.
- The recent appointment of Kim Eui-kyeom as head of the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency has faced criticism due to his past involvement in real estate speculation and a defamation suit.
- As the former spokesperson for the South Korean presidential office and a Democratic Party lawmaker, Kim's qualifications for managing such a significant national development project have been questioned given his local ties are limited to a single region.
- The editorial column in our general news section points out that Kim's involvement in policy-and-legislation and his past controversies create doubts about his ability to lead the Saemangeum project effectively.
- In an interview with our news agency, a political analyst expressed his opinion that Kim's appointment could compromise the credibility and success of the Saemangeum project, given the ongoing controversies surrounding his past actions and statements.
