1. Introduction to the text
This reading lesson explores the controversy surrounding Jeong Dong-young, a candidate for the position of Minister of Unification, and his family’s involvement in a solar power plant business in Bonghwa County, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The article raises questions about potential omissions in Jeong’s asset declarations.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 태양광발전소 | taeyanggwanggwalso | solar power plant | The solar power plant on the land owned by Jeong Dong-young’s wife and sons is densely packed with solar power equipment. |
| 태양광 | taeyanggwang | solar power | The solar power plant in Bonghwa County, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is the subject of this article. |
| 봉화군 | bonghwaggun | Bonghwa County | The solar power plant is located in Hwacheon-ri, Bonghwa County, Gyeongsangbuk-do. |
| 해당 | haedang | relevant, the said | The solar power plant in question is located on land that is classified as farmland. |
| 있다 | itda | to exist, to be | The solar power plant equipment is installed on the land owned by Jeong Dong-young’s family. |
| 가등기 | gadeunggi | provisional registration | Jeong Dong-young’s wife and two sons have only provisionally registered the land, without completing the full ownership transfer. |
| 지목 | jimok | land classification | The land where the solar power plant is located is classified as farmland (논과 밭). |
| 필지 | pilji | plot of land | The solar power plant is located on three separate plots of land. |
| 면적 | myeonjjeok | area, size | The total area of the three plots of land is 8,357 square meters (about 2,527 pyeong). |
| 재산신고 | jaesansinggo | asset declaration | There are allegations that Jeong Dong-young may have omitted the solar power plant from his asset declarations. |
| 누락 | nulak | omission | The allegations suggest that Jeong Dong-young may have omitted the solar power plant from his asset declarations. |
| 의혹 | uirok | suspicion, allegation | The article raises suspicions about potential omissions in Jeong Dong-young’s asset declarations. |
| 소명 | somyeong | explanation, clarification | Jeong Dong-young’s camp stated that they will provide an explanation during the confirmation hearing. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
국민일보가 1일 방문한 정동영 통일부 장관 후보자 소유의 경북 봉화군 화천리 소재 태양광발전소 부지에는 태양광 설비가 빼곡하게 들어서 있었다. 정 후보자의 부인 민혜경씨와 두 아들은 해당 토지에 가등기만 올려둔 상태다.
The solar power plant located in Hwacheon-ri, Bonghwa County, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which is owned by Jeong Dong-young, the candidate for Minister of Unification, was densely packed with solar power equipment when the Kukmin Ilbo visited the site on the 1st. Jeong’s wife, Min Hye-gyeong, and their two sons have only provisionally registered the land.
해당 발전소는 패널 등 태양광 발전 설비가 정상 설치된 것으로 나타나 재산신고 누락 의혹도 제기된다. 해당 토지는 지목이 논과 밭(농지)인 3개 필지로 구성돼 있고 총 면적은 8357㎡(약 2527평)에 달한다.
The solar power plant appears to have the necessary solar power generation equipment installed, raising suspicions about potential omissions in Jeong’s asset declarations. The land is composed of three plots classified as farmland (fields and rice paddies), with a total area of 8,357 square meters (about 2,527 pyeong).
이 발전소는 2025년 같은 기준의 재산신고에서 4억2212만원으로 가치가 9배(약 890%) 상승했다. 정 후보자 측은 토지가 제외된 해당 발전소 가치가 1년 새 9배나 상승한 이유를 묻는 질문에 “청문회에서 소명하겠다”고 말했다.
The value of this solar power plant increased ninefold (about 890%) to 422.12 million won in the 2025 asset declaration, with the land excluded. When asked about the reason for this rapid increase in value within a year, Jeong’s camp stated that they will provide an explanation during the confirmation hearing.
정 후보자의 2024년 재산신고 자료에서 민씨는 국민은행·새마을금고중앙회·전북은행 등 3곳에서 총 13억3000만원을 대출받았다. 이는 정 후보자의 2024년 재산신고 총액 39억6000만원의 약 33.5%에 해당한다.
According to Jeong’s 2024 asset declaration, his wife, Min, took out a total of 13.3 billion won in loans from three financial institutions: Kookmin Bank, Saemaeul Geumgo Central Federation, and Jeonbuk Bank. This amount represents approximately 33.5% of Jeong’s total declared assets of 39.6 billion won in 2024.
정 후보자 측은 토지가 제외된 해당 발전소 가치가 1년 새 9배나 상승한 이유에 대해 “청문회에서 소명하겠다”고 말했다. 또한 민씨의 대출 내역에 대해서도 “청문회에서 설명하겠다”고 밝혔다.
Jeong’s camp stated that they will provide an explanation for the ninefold increase in the value of the solar power plant, excluding the land, during the confirmation hearing. They also said they will explain the details of Min’s loan borrowings at the hearing.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What is the main controversy surrounding Jeong Dong-young’s family and their solar power plant business?
- Where is the solar power plant located, and what is the classification of the land it is built on?
- How much did the value of the solar power plant increase between 2024 and 2025, and what was Jeong’s response to this rapid increase?
- How much in loans did Jeong Dong-young’s wife, Min Hye-gyeong, take out, and what percentage of Jeong’s total declared assets did this represent?
- What did Jeong’s camp say they will do regarding the issues raised in the article?
5. Cultural and historical notes
This article highlights the controversy surrounding the business dealings and asset declarations of a high-profile political figure in South Korea. The allegations of potential omissions in asset declarations and the rapid increase in the value of the solar power plant raise questions about transparency and accountability in the political sphere. These issues are of significant public interest and can have implications for the candidate’s nomination and future political career.