Seoul Mayor Candidate Faces Farmland Speculation Allegations
Jeong Won-oh, the Democratic Party of Korea’s candidate for Seoul mayor, is facing allegations of farmland speculation. The claims center around land acquired decades ago, prompting a political back-and-forth between the ruling and opposition parties.
Allegations of Farmland Ownership
People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jae-seop publicly requested an investigation into Seongdong-gu Mayor Jeong Won-oh, alleging he engaged in farmland speculation. According to a copy of the register released by Representative Kim, Mayor Jeong acquired 127㎡ of rice paddies and 1,980㎡ of fields by the age of two. MK Korea reported on the controversy on February 8, 2026.
Representative Kim questioned how a young child could have been actively farming the land, suggesting the acquisition was purely speculative. He called for Mayor Jeong to be the first target of a comprehensive investigation, referencing President Lee Jae-myung’s previous calls for investigations into farmland speculation.
Defense and Counterclaims
The Democratic Party swiftly responded, dismissing the allegations as “fake news and a malicious political attack.” Democratic Party lawmaker Chae Hyeon-il argued that the Farmland Act allows for legal ownership, lease, and use of land even without direct farming. He pointed out that regulations regarding farmland restrictions did not apply retroactively to land acquired before January 1, 1996.
Representative Chae explained that the land in question was originally purchased by Mayor Jeong’s grandparents and parents for agricultural use and was registered in his name, as the eldest grandson, according to family customs. He further stated that the land had been largely abandoned as wasteland since the early 1990s due to its terraced nature, making it difficult to use modern agricultural machinery. Attempts to sell the land were unsuccessful due to its condition.
President Lee’s Previous Praise
The allegations arise after President Lee Jae-myung publicly praised Mayor Jeong on social media, highlighting Seongdong District’s high resident satisfaction ratings. The Seoul Daily reported on December 8, 2025, that President Lee shared a news article on X (formerly Twitter) noting Seongdong District received over 90 percent positive ratings in a resident satisfaction survey. This praise sparked speculation about potential support for Mayor Jeong’s candidacy for Seoul mayor.
Background on Jeong Won-oh
Jeong Won-oh is a three-term head of Seongdong District. Asiae.co.kr reported on personnel moves within the Seongdong District Office in June 2024, highlighting his long tenure and predictable personnel style.