Blue House Orders Comprehensive Review of Special Housing Allocation System After "Very Serious Problem" in Disability Fraud Case

Chief Secretary Kang Hoon-sik Presides Over Senior Aides Meeting
Kang Hoon-sik Orders "Strict Measures Such as Subscription Cancellation and Criminal Prosecution"

Instructions for Relevant Ministries to Address Youth E-Cigarette Purchases <

Cheong Wa Dae has instructed relevant ministries to conduct a thorough review and improvement of the special housing supply system following the recent exposure of a broker ring that illegally obtained 30 apartment units under the names of people with hearing impairments. As the special supply system designed for vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities and national merit recipients has been exploited for organized crime, the government believes that strict measures are necessary, including the cancellation of subscriptions and criminal penalties, as well as institutional improvements to block broker intervention.

Kang Hoon-sik, Chief Secretary, is briefing the results of the Mega Project Public-Private Joint Inspection Meeting held that morning at the Cheong Wa Dae Press Hall on the 6th. 2026.7.6 Yonhap News Agency

Cheong Wa Dae Deputy Spokesperson An Gwi-ryeong announced in a written briefing on July 6, 2026, that Kang Hoon-sik, Chief Presidential Secretary, presided over a senior aides meeting that afternoon at Cheong Wa Dae and issued these directives.

Chief Secretary Kang referred to the recent case in which a broker ring illegally obtained a total of 30 apartments worth approximately 20.8 billion won at pre-sale prices in areas such as Gangnam, Seoul, by using the names of people with hearing impairments. He pointed out, "It is a very serious problem that the special supply system established to ensure stable housing for people with disabilities has been exploited for organized crime."

Chief Secretary Kang also stressed that a joint inspection by relevant ministries, which began in May, found similar illegal acts involving special supply for national merit recipients, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive review and improvement of the special supply system as a whole.

Accordingly, Chief Secretary Kang ordered the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the National Police Agency, and other relevant agencies to conduct more thorough investigations into illegal acts such as forgery of real estate subscription qualifications, and to take strict measures such as subscription cancellations and criminal penalties for identified violations.

Kang also mentioned that some people with hearing impairments were exploited for the crime without fully understanding the details. He urged, "Strengthen guidance so that special supply recipients, such as people with disabilities and national merit recipients, can fully understand the purpose of the system," and added, "Prepare improvements to fundamentally block proxy contracts using borrowed names and broker involvement."

In addition, Chief Secretary Kang instructed relevant ministries to respond to the issue of youth purchasing electronic cigarettes. Referring to recent media reports that young people can easily purchase e-cigarettes from unmanned stores using forged or altered IDs, he pointed out, "The current adult verification system is not functioning properly, undermining the effectiveness of youth protection laws."

He ordered the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the National Police Agency, and other relevant agencies to swiftly inspect the actual situation regarding the sale of harmful substances such as e-cigarettes to minors and to take necessary administrative measures. He also called for effective measures to be developed, in consultation with agencies such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, to improve the adult verification system and prevent young people from purchasing harmful substances such as e-cigarettes.

Measures to prevent water-related safety accidents during the summer were also discussed. Chief Secretary Kang noted that, due to the early onset of hot weather, accidents have occurred at rivers, valleys, beaches, and theme parks. Although the government has implemented preemptive measures such as deploying safety personnel every weekend since June 12, 2026, in line with the peak season special countermeasures period, the number of water-related fatalities this summer has reached 18, similar to last year. Kang stated, "The earlier-than-usual heat has brought forward the dangers as well," and urged the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korea Coast Guard, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to thoroughly inspect for blind spots in water safety.

He especially ordered that, during the special countermeasures period, areas with repeated fatal accidents should be separately identified, with strengthened deployment of safety personnel and stricter access controls, and that extraordinary measures be promptly drawn up and implemented, including reflecting performance in reducing water-related accidents in evaluations by sector.

Kang said, "Protecting lives during the summer is the government's responsibility," adding, "There should not be a single tragic death, and this is the 'government that saves the lives of its people' as emphasized by President Lee Jae-myung."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.