A sign stating 'Assets of 7 billion' appeared at the local office of lawmaker Joo Jin-woo amid property controversy.

Prologue – Who Verifies Whom

Politics is essentially a continuous process of verification. It involves assessing the morality and qualities of opponents and explaining their suitability to the public. This series of processes is the daily routine of politics. In particular, the National Assembly's confirmation hearings for the Prime Minister or minister candidates stand at the center of this system. Recently, the sharp questions directed at Prime Minister candidate Kim Min-seok came from Joo Jin-woo, a member of the National Assembly from Busan Haeundae-gap. However, the blade of verification unexpectedly turns back toward Joo himself. This controversy, moving beyond mere political attacks, raises a fundamental question for us: 'Is the verifier truly prepared to be verified?'

7 billion in assets and 740 million won in deposits

The asset disclosure of public officials is not a mere formality but an important mechanism for the public's right to know. According to the asset status of members of the National Assembly released earlier this year, the total assets of Representative Joo Jin-woo's family amount to approximately 7 billion won. This figure significantly exceeds the average, and it is a number that cannot help but draw the public's attention. However, what drew the most attention was the 740 million won worth of deposits held by his son, born in 2005. This amount, which is divided among several financial institutions and held by his still-minor son, greatly exceeds common sense. The Busan City Party of the Democratic Party pointed out that “transparency in the asset formation process, rather than just a simple asset registration, is necessary.” Of course, the mere possession of wealth is not the issue. However, if one is a public official, the source and transfer process of that wealth must be clear and transparent enough to gain public understanding. Especially regarding high-value assets in the names of minor children, the standards should undoubtedly be even stricter.

The Essence of Suspicion – Transparency of Substance Rather than Form

The lawmaker's side stated that the deposit was made from his grandfather's gifts, inheritance, and past legal fees, and that all gift taxes have been paid. However, more important than the content of the explanation is its 'form.' It is not enough for a public official to declare that 'there is no legal issue.' There is a need for the disclosure of materials that the public can directly verify, meaning a provable explanation is required. Moreover, the 180 million won worth of debts reported under the spouse's name raises further questions. This could potentially be seen as disguised debt, and in fact, the Democratic Party is demanding the presentation of more specific information, such as details of contracts and repayment plans. Large deposits, family asset transfers, and opaque debts go beyond mere moral implications and can lead to legal controversies. This is why proof is needed, not just an explanation.

Public sentiment - fairness is a prerequisite, not an option

The current youth generation struggles to secure even tens of millions of won for Jeonse deposits and relies on bank loans to survive. In this reality, the fact that minors own assets worth hundreds of millions of won, even if legal, is emotionally difficult to accept. Politics ultimately operates on a foundation of trust. The assertion of 'we acted according to the law' sometimes provokes the question, 'Whom was that law meant to serve?' The standards required of public officials are based on fairness grounded in universal common sense and social sentiment, which is higher than mere legal legitimacy.

Real Estate - The Haeundae Representative Not Found in Haeundae

The lawmaker represents Haeundae-gap as their constituency, but there are actually no residential houses in that area. Instead, they own numerous commercial properties, lands, and forests in the metropolitan area and other regions, raising criticisms that the asset diversification is for speculative purposes. The fact that a member of the National Assembly, who should represent the opinions of local residents, does not have roots in that area is an important issue in terms of political symbolism and a sense of responsibility. The Democratic Party argues that 'the condition of being a local representative is not just wearing a National Assembly badge, but living together in that area.'

The Dignity of Politics - Verification Must Be Bidirectional

The dignity of politics stems from reciprocity. If I want to verify others, the same standards must apply to myself. The Democratic Party has not shied away from the verification of candidate Kim Min-seok. Therefore, Congressman Joo Jin-woo also has an obligation to respond with the same sincerity and transparency to questions directed at him. Politics can no longer be free from the criticism of 'double standards.' The life of a public official is no longer a private space. Every action exists on the foundation of the public's trust, and if that trust is broken, politics will merely degrade into a mere technique of power.

Epilogue - The Weight of Trust Exceeds Numbers

If all of Representative Joo Jin-woo's assets are legitimate, proving that before the public should not be difficult. Yet, specific documents have still not been presented. The Democratic Party's questioning is not merely a political attack, but a question on behalf of the people. What weighs more than the figure of 7 billion is the 'trust' that surrounds it. Politicians exist to uphold that trust. Rather than mere explanations, the path of public officials must always be transparently laid out before the people.