[Anchor]

At the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts today, officials from the government and the presidential office attended a session to field questions on various pending issues, including the real estate tax reform proposal. Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Koo Yun-cheol stated that even for non-resident single-home owners, if there are rational reasons, they will be boldly recognized as living in their residence.

This is a report by Ha Jeongyeon.

[Reporter]

At the full meeting of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts held at the National Assembly today, it was pointed out that supplementary measures, such as taxation regarding non-resident single-home owners, are necessary in connection with the government's recently announced tax reform plan.

[Ahn Do-geol / Democratic Party of Korea Lawmaker: Single-home owners are now classified into residents and non-residents. It seems that the administrative utility of this classification entails taxpayer distress and costs. Supplementary measures to minimize this are needed.]

In response, the government explained that the recent reduction of tax benefits for non-resident housing was a measure to correct distortions in the housing market, but added the following:

[Koo Yun-cheol / Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy: However, regarding aspects where non-residency is rational, we intend to boldly transition them to residency to help resolve these issues.]

Regarding criticisms that the tax reform is increasing instability in the Jeonse and monthly rent markets, he emphasized that supply must ultimately be increased and that all administrative capabilities will be focused on this.

[Koo Yun-cheol / Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy: Along with efforts such as gradually expanding deductions for Jeonse and monthly rent and providing further incentives for youths regarding Jeonse and monthly rent, we ultimately need to increase supply.]

The controversy over Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's written recommendation of Supreme Court justice candidates also came under fire.

When the People Power Party questioned whether there were legal issues with the written recommendation, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ihk-pyo responded that he shares the perception that the president's right to appointment was infringed upon.

[Cho Bae-sook / People Power Party Lawmaker: Are there legal issues with this written recommendation?]

[Hong Ihk-pyo / Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs: It is quite removed from existing practices, and we share the perception that the president's right to appointment was infringed upon to a certain extent.]

Meanwhile, regarding the disappearance case of Jang Mi-ran, questions poured in from both ruling and opposition parties. Prime Minister Han Sung-sook stated that she finds it truly heartbreaking and promised to swiftly pursue proposed measures, such as mandating double verification for missing person cases and notifying higher authorities when modifying or deleting profiling records.

(Camera: Shin Dong-hwan, Lee Seung-hwan | Video Editing: Chang Hyun-ki)