Land Minister Byeon Chang-heum has expressed his intent to resign to President Moon Jae-in amid growing public criticism over alleged land speculation involving employees of the Korea Land Housing Corporation and other public officials. 

Chung Man-ho, the senior presidential public communication secretary, revealed the minister’s move in a media briefing on Friday. 

According to the presidential secretary, Moon in response said that the minister had no choice but to take a posture of responsibility, indicating he will accept it. 

However, the president implied Byeon will maintain his post for the time being, stressing the need to smoothly manage the government’s massive housing supply plan the minister had announced last month. Moon instructed the Land Minister to finish paving the legislative groundwork for the February 4 public housing provision plan before he steps down. 

Under the housing plan, the government seeks to ease building regulations and support redevelopment projects in major cities to construct up to 836-thousand new homes nationwide, with 323-thousand in Seoul, over the next four years.