Real-Time Poll on 'Ultra-High-Priced Single Homes': President Surprised by Price Threshold

[Anchor]

Discussions on major economic issues, ranging from real estate policy to growth and distribution in the AI era, took place today (July 14). First, a Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House addressed the issue of increasing the ownership burden for 'ultra-high-priced single homes' worth several billion won. President Lee Jae-myung asked for public opinion in real-time via comments on whether to support this and what the threshold for such high-priced homes should be.

Our first report is from reporter Kang Min-u.

[Reporter]

During this morning's Cabinet meeting, where briefings on real estate policy were being held,

President Lee Jae-myung suggested on the spot that they ask the public through YouTube's real-time comment function. He noted that there is social controversy over whether to impose the same burden on so-called 'smart single homes' or ultra-high-priced homes worth over 10 billion won as other single-home owners.

[President Lee Jae-myung: If you agree that 'it would be better to impose a differentiated burden on ultra-high-priced homes, even if it is a single home for actual residence,' please press 1. If you disagree, please press 2.]

A few minutes later, the results were in.

[Lim Ki-geun/Minister for Government Policy Coordination: Most of the comments are 1. (What is the proportion?) The proportion is around 90%...]

[President Lee Jae-myung: It seems there is a general consensus that the burden on ultra-high-priced homes should be strengthened, even for single-home owners who reside in them.]

He also suggested collecting opinions on what market price should be set as the standard for 'ultra-high-priced homes.' He appeared somewhat surprised when told that many comments suggested 3 billion won was appropriate.

[President Lee Jae-myung: That's unexpected. I thought it would be around 5 billion won. (There are also quite a lot of comments for 2 billion won.) Is 2 billion won also a lot?]

President Lee also made these remarks to Prime Minister Han Seong-suk:

[President Lee Jae-myung: If we do that (the 2 billion won threshold), I think we might be in big trouble. Is yours worth over 2 billion won? I don't have a house now.]

[Han Seong-suk/Prime Minister: I have one house. But it exceeds 2 billion won.]

After the Cabinet meeting, the Blue House explained that the Bundang apartment President Lee put on the market last February is expected to be sold soon, following a preliminary contract.

President Lee explained that the claim that taxes are imposed to control housing prices is not true. He stated that the primary goal is to correct the distorted current real estate tax system, and that controlling housing prices is a secondary effect.

[President Lee Jae-myung: Because taxes are not fulfilling their basic functions, they have become a factor that triggers real estate speculation.]

Analysts suggest that the President's impromptu collection of opinions is an attempt to preempt the agenda by highlighting key issues ahead of the real estate grand debate scheduled for next week.

(Video coverage: Jung Sang-bo, Yoon Hyung | Video editing: Yoo Mi-ra)

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