Following the previous day's national public debate on real estate policy hosted by President Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party stated today (the 24th), "We will thoroughly block speculation while firmly protecting the housing ladder for genuine home buyers, and come up with effective measures for swift housing supply and national housing stability."

During the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Acting Leader and Floor Leader Han Byeong-do stated, "We will faithfully reflect the voices of the people from the debate into our policies."

Regarding the People Power Party's criticism labeling the debate as a "predetermined script" or "public opinion manipulation show," he urged, "We hope they will stop criticism for the sake of criticism and responsibly cooperate in legislating for the expansion of housing supply and formulating policies for the housing stability of genuine buyers."

Acting Leader Han also voiced criticism regarding the People Power Party's hosting of a "real estate policy normalization debate" and its decision to pursue a policy consultation meeting with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

Regarding the People Power Party's debate, he pointed out, "It is concerning whether this is being made into a venue of criticism to blemish government policies." Regarding the push for the policy consultation, he criticized, "The idea of discussing national housing stability with Mayor Oh, who has betrayed the trust of the 10 million citizens of Seoul, is hard to understand."

Floor Spokesperson Lee Ju-hee released a commentary earlier that day, defining the previous day's debate as a "national listening session on real estate," and stated, "The government and the National Assembly will respond with execution."

Floor Spokesperson Lee emphasized, "President Lee stated, 'Even if I must endure conflict, resistance, and criticism, I will gather the opinions of many to make a rational decision,'" adding, "The formulation of the tax code revision scheduled from the end of this month to early next month will be the first test of that."

She added, "The party will meticulously prepare so that the collective intelligence of the people can fully bear fruit in policies and laws," and "We will do our utmost alongside the government until houses cease to be a means of speculation and become a comfortable home for all citizens."

Meanwhile, regarding the government's real estate policy stance—such as strengthening holding taxes—mentioned by President Lee during the previous day's debate, various voices are also emerging within the party.

Lawmaker Jin Sung-joon said on YTN Radio that day, "It is worth actively reviewing a plan to integrate and unify property tax and comprehensive real estate tax on this occasion."

Lawmaker Jin explained, "However, in that case, significant differences may arise in tax revenues collected by local governments," adding, "We can seek a certain degree of balance by allocating a portion of common taxes, for instance."

Regarding the holding tax, he suggested, "To prevent concentration on so-called 'one smart house,' how about reviewing a plan to tax based on the total value of the homes owned rather than the number of homes held?"

On the other hand, Lawmaker Lee Un-ju expressed her stance via Facebook that day, stating, "The goal of real estate policy should be placed on housing stability for the middle class and common people, and above all, it is right to focus on stabilizing key-money deposit (jeonse) and monthly rent prices as well as low-priced housing."

Regarding the hike in holding taxes for ultra-luxury homes specifically, she expressed concern, saying, "We might be able to do it since the effective tax rate is low, but the transaction tax should be significantly lowered," and "Conversely, raising the holding tax on mid-priced homes risks transferring costs to jeonse and monthly rent, which could further intensify the jeonse and monthly rent crisis."

She further wrote, "It is almost a year since the government's real estate policy was introduced, and while the side effects of demand suppression measures are standing out, supply measures show no clear progress," adding, "We need to swiftly add supply measures, maximize the execution of previously presented ones, and fundamentally re-examine demand suppression measures from scratch."

Kim Yong, former deputy head of the Democracy Institute and a Supreme Council candidate for the August 17 National Convention, also said on SBS Radio, "We must not further increase holding taxes."

Former Deputy Head Kim emphasized, "There are people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s trembling with just one house," and "That (single house) is their life."

(Photo: Yonhap News)