Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
Gyeonggi governor defends 1.22 billion won rental residence
Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae faced questions about her official residence at a parliamentary audit in Suwon on October 13.
The province signed a lease in June for an apartment near its government office, with a reported deposit of 1.22 billion won.
Choo said the home is rented, not owned, and will be returned when the lease ends.
She said she lives there with her family and that using the residence does not displace other employees, citing an 84% occupancy rate for staff housing.
Critics have questioned the expense because the province has described its finances as being in crisis.
Choo also defended a recently replaced official car, saying its service life had ended, the previous governor had decided to buy it, and the new vehicle reduces maintenance costs.
The audit raised public scrutiny of how the province uses money, but the account gives no further decision or next step.
Gyeonggi Gov. Choo Mi-ae defended a 1.22 billion won rental residence during a National Assembly audit on Oct. 13.
She said the residence is leased and will be returned when the contract ends, and argued that it is not luxurious or extravagant.
People’s Power Party lawmakers criticized the residence and the purchase of a new official car while the province faced financial difficulties.
Choo said the residence did not deprive other employees of housing and that the car was replaced after its service life expired.
The province signed the lease in mid-June for an apartment near its government offices.
- Who
- Gyeonggi Gov. Choo Mi-ae defended the residence. People’s Power Party lawmakers Joo Ho-young and Jin Jong-oh questioned her.
- What
- Choo defended a 1.22 billion won leased residence and addressed criticism of an official car.
- When
- Oct. 13, 2026, during a National Assembly audit.
- Where
- Gyeonggi Provincial Government offices in Suwon, South Korea.
- Why
- Lawmakers criticized the spending while the province faced financial difficulties; Choo said the residence was a lease and cited long commutes across the province.
People’s Power Party lawmakers
Gyeonggi Gov. Choo Mi-ae
Residence spending
People’s Power Party lawmakers
Joo Ho-young said a leader should set an example during financial difficulties and criticized the province for providing a residence.
Gyeonggi Gov. Choo Mi-ae
Choo said the residence was leased, would be returned when the contract ended, and was not luxurious or extravagant.
Effect on employees
People’s Power Party lawmakers
Jin Jong-oh questioned Choo about living alone in a 47-pyeong rental residence.
Gyeonggi Gov. Choo Mi-ae
Choo said she lived there with her family and that the employee residence occupancy rate was 84%, so her use did not harm other employees.
Official car
People’s Power Party lawmakers
Joo Ho-young criticized the province for providing a new official car amid financial difficulties.
Gyeonggi Gov. Choo Mi-ae
Choo said the previous governor had decided to buy it before she took office, the old car had passed its service life, and the eco-friendly replacement reduced maintenance costs.
Gyeonggi Province signed a 1.22 billion won lease for a 156-square-meter apartment near the provincial government offices.
Choo moved into the residence.
Choo defended the residence and addressed questions about the official car during a National Assembly audit of Gyeonggi Province.
- Residence lease
- 1.22 billion won
- Apartment size
- 156 square meters, or 47 pyeong
- Location
- Near the Gyeonggi Provincial Government offices in Suwon
- Employee residence occupancy rate
- 84%
- Official car
- Hyundai Ioniq 9, priced at about 77 million won
What people are saying
The residence is leased, and of course it will be returned when the contract period ends. It is difficult to regard it as luxurious or extravagant.
Gyeonggi Province has a large area, so there are many long-distance commutes.
The car was replaced because its service life had passed, and the previous governor decided to purchase it before I took office.
When difficult things happen, leaders should set an example, but while declaring a financial crisis, you have newly arranged and are using a residence and official car.
Sources
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