Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik Calls for Fundamental Reforms to Combat Illegal Subleasing of Public Housing

Kang Hoon-sik, the Chief of Staff to the President, emphasized on August 24 the need for fundamental reforms to eradicate illegal subleasing of public rental housing. He proposed the introduction of a reward system for reporting violations, enhanced field investigations, and stricter penalties for illegal activities.

During a meeting with senior aides at the Blue House, Kang stated that public rental housing, designed to ensure housing stability for low-income and vulnerable groups, has become a target for some tenants seeking illegal profits.

According to a written briefing by Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong, Kang pointed out that a case was uncovered where a public rental unit with a monthly rent of 180,000 won was illegally subleased for 600,000 won, resulting in unjust profits.

He noted that the recurrence of subleasing issues, which have persisted for years, indicates that management blind spots still exist. Kang urged the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and related agencies to devise measures that can fundamentally block attempts at illegal subleasing, including the introduction of a reward system, expanded field investigations, and enhanced penalties for violations.

Kang also directed the establishment of a more precise inspection system to verify actual residency of tenants. He instructed collaboration with local governments and agencies providing essential services, such as the Korea Post, Korea Electric Power Corporation, and Korea Gas Corporation, to develop a system for checking actual residency.

Additionally, regarding the recent casualties from heavy rainfall in the Geoje and Tongyeong areas of South Gyeongsang Province, Kang stressed the importance of focusing on swift recovery and stabilizing the lives of affected residents rather than engaging in disputes over whether the cause was a man-made slope collapse or a landslide.

Kang pointed out that some hazardous areas, including the site of the apartment collapse, were not registered in the Korea Forest Service's digital landslide information system, urging relevant departments to promptly register slope information.

He also called for a review and improvement of risk management systems to protect citizens' lives amid extreme weather, adhering to the principle that 'it is better to overreact than to underreact' in relation to incidents involving loss of life.

Furthermore, Kang directed a strict response to secondary harm crimes targeting victims of social disasters and major crimes and their families. He evaluated the achievements of the National Police Agency, which established a 'Secondary Harm Crime Investigation Division' in July of last year, noting that it has investigated 272 cases, apprehended 112 individuals, and requested the deletion and blocking of 6,091 illegal posts. However, he pointed out that recent incidents of prank calls, malicious texts, and the spread of unverified information and mockery targeting the families of victims in a recent missing person case in Jeju continue.

Kang stated, 'Derogatory remarks, mockery, the spread of false information, and blame-shifting directed at victims and their families are clear instances of secondary harm and serious crimes that inflict further pain on those who have already suffered significant trauma.' He urged the National Police Agency to establish comprehensive measures to eradicate such behaviors, including prompt investigations, enhanced criminal penalties, and expanded preventive education and outreach.