Joo Jin-woo "Evidence was destroyed after changing the shape of farmland"... Lee Yong-cheol “Recommendation by competent authorities” (comprehensive)

“Acquisition of farmland for weekend farming… cultivation with family” rebuttal

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Park Soo-yoon and Choi Yun-seon = On the 10th, People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo repeatedly raised suspicions that Justice Minister candidate Lee Yong-cheol was speculating on farmland and was destroying related evidence ahead of the confirmation hearing.

Rep. Joo said on Facebook that day, "This morning, several workers are clearing and maintaining farmland at 69-2 Bonghyeon-ri, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, owned by Yong-cheol Lee." He added, "We are releasing the reported photos and videos."

The 29-second video and photo showed three men moving chairs spread out in front of a container.

At a press conference the previous day, Rep. Joo claimed that candidate Lee purchased a parcel of farmland in Bonghyeon-ri for 70 million won in May 2021, according to a copy of the register, and that the farmland in question is still designated as farmland, but he violated building laws by installing an illegal container there without permission.

Rep. Joo pointed out, “Is this candidate trying to destroy evidence of farmland speculation by hiring workers?” and “Ahead of the confirmation hearing, he is changing the shape of abandoned farmland.”

He continued, “He makes the excuse that he farmed it through his family, but can it be said that this candidate, who served as a lawyer and the head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration in Seoul, farmed it himself?” he said. “He bought and attached the ‘farmland’ and ‘forest land’ attached to the ‘country house’ that he gifted to his daughter.”

He said, "It is typically an act aimed at profiting from market prices. It is similar to the case of Prime Minister Han Seong-sook."

Rep. Joo emphasized, "After purchasing farmland in the metropolitan area, President Lee announced that he would focus on investigating areas that are not actually being farmed. Candidate Lee should be the first subject of the farmland investigation. The competent authorities must immediately begin an investigation to prevent them from destroying evidence by hiring workers."

On this day, the preparation team for candidate Lee Yong-cheol's confirmation hearing refuted the suspicion of destruction of evidence raised by Rep. Joo, saying it was not true.

The preparation team made a statement on this day and said, "We inquired with the competent government office regarding the report of extension of the farm hut, and there was a recommendation from the competent government office to repair firewood and other items placed next to the farm hut."

The preparation team added, "The candidate is in consultation with the competent government office and is in the process of organizing items such as firewood," and added, "We plan to quickly complete the extension report."

He again emphasized, “The candidate acquired the farmland for weekend farming and is cultivating it with his family.”

Previously, the preparation team explained, "The building that some politicians claim is an 'illegal container' is a farm hut installed by the candidate around November 2022 for the purpose of storing agricultural materials, etc., and was legally reported and used in accordance with the relevant laws at the time."

However, since he was appointed as the head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration in November 2025, he was unable to file an extension report within the deadline, and explained, "We are quickly proceeding with the extension report process."