Land Minister Byeon Chang-heum has vowed to adopt rigorous advance compliance reviews before designating new land development sites to avoid the recurrence of alleged illicit land purchases by public officials. 

Speaking at a question and answer session on pending issues at the National Assembly Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee on Tuesday, Byeon said the ministry will look into whether officials made suspicious property investment before announcing new housing sites. 

He said only the regions confirmed to be clear of such suspicions will be designated as new development sites. 

Asked of similar suspicious property speculation in areas other than the third New Town sites, the minister said the ministry will consider expanding the joint investigation with the Prime Minister’s Office if needed beyond the sites in Gyeonggi Province.