Oceans minister reports 2.16 billion won in assets; anti-corruption chief declares 1.32 billion won

Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo declared assets totaling 2.16 billion won ($1.4 million).

The Government Public Service Ethics Committee on Friday released asset disclosures for 96 senior officials who underwent status changes — including appointments, promotions and retirements — between March 2 and April 1 this year.

Bank deposits accounted for the bulk of Hwang's declared assets at 1.77 billion won. His real estate holdings consisted of a single apartment in Sejong valued at 360 million won, registered in his own name.

Jeong Il-yeon, chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, reported total assets of 1.32 billion won. Jeong declared real estate worth 790 million won, including a detached house in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province in his own name and a detached house and rice paddy in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province in his spouse's name. He also reported 470 million won in bank deposits.

The Gwangju detached house listed under Jeong's name has since been sold, however, leaving him a single-property owner, according to sources.

Myeong Gye-nam, a former actor serving as the vice-minister-level governor of Hwanghae Province under the Office of the Five Northern Provinces, declared assets of 29 million won, most of which belonged to his eldest son.

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Eui-gyeom, who stepped down as head of the Saemangeum Development Agency to run in a by-election for the North Jeolla constituency of Gunsan-Gimje-Buan-gap, reported total assets of 2.23 billion won. The declaration included an apartment in Seocho-gu, Seoul valued at 1.38 billion won registered in his spouse's name, as well as a lease right on an apartment in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, his home constituency.

Among those who have left office, Choi Ji-young, former international economic affairs coordinator at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, reported the highest assets at 28.52 billion won.

Securities made up the largest share at 22.38 billion won, followed by real estate holdings of 5.55 billion won. Choi also declared 443 million won in bonds and 200.97 million won in deposits. Liabilities stood at 198.44 million won.