Two-Top, making all-out efforts to ‘block real estate mismatches’… “Proper adjustments are needed” within the party.

The Democratic Party of Korea emphasized 'unity between party offices' ahead of the National Assembly's processing of the real estate tax reform bill.

As some lawmakers in regions sensitive to real estate public sentiment, such as Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, requested to relax the basic comprehensive real estate tax deduction standards for non-residential homeowners, and differences of opinion were exposed, they are calling for unification of message internally using the dinner between President Lee Jae-myung and the party's 'two top leaders' the previous day.

However, as there is still a debate within the party over real estate policies such as comprehensive real estate tax relief, attention is being paid to whether the leadership will be able to completely resolve the conflict.

Representative Kim Min-seok said on the party's YouTube broadcast that day, "It has already been established that it is better to consistently adhere to the basics of the real estate policy being promoted by the party and government."

In addition, regarding the party's recent request for the government to further relax the comprehensive real estate tax for non-resident single homeowners at the high-level party-government council, he explained, "What came out during the briefing that there were various opinions among lawmakers was slightly misinterpreted and misunderstood as if it were the party's official proposal," and explained, "It has already been resolved that this is not the case."

This can be interpreted as drawing a line on the opinion of some in the party that the basic comprehensive real estate tax deduction for non-resident single homeowners, which is currently 1.2 billion won, should be unified to 1.4 billion won, regardless of actual residence.

At the policy coordination meeting that day, floor leader Han also emphasized, “There is clearly no discrepancy between the party offices,” and “I assure you that the party and the government are closely cooperating for better people’s livelihood.”

A party leadership official also said in a phone call with Yonhap News, "Real estate is a matter of psychology, and if you touch it wrongly, there will be an uproar," and "Because those standards are the same for us and the Blue House, the leadership is unwavering in that regard."

Previously, the government submitted a tax reform plan to the National Assembly that differentiates the basic comprehensive real estate tax deduction to 1.4 billion won for actual residents and 1.2 billion won for non-residents.

However, demands for additional relief of comprehensive real estate tax were raised, mainly from lawmakers in the Seoul area, and the government showed reluctance to do so, citing the principle of preferential treatment for actual residents.

In particular, in response to the party's statement that it had strongly requested a plan to unify the basic comprehensive real estate tax deduction to 1.4 billion won after the high-level party-government council meeting on the 8th, the Blue House said, "It was not the topic of the meeting," revealing a difference in temperature, sparking a controversy over the misalignment between party offices.

However, despite the leadership's stance, arguments continued within the party over the government's real estate policy.

Rep. Kim Young-jin, who is from Suwon Byeong-i, Gyeonggi-do, appeared on SBS radio that day and said, "It is good to stick to the principles, but there are situations that follow changes in market conditions and the increase in average housing prices in the Seoul area. It is natural to carefully judge the position of the people who bear the tax and adjust accordingly."

He also argued, “The core of real estate policy is to adjust demand through supply, and then stabilize real estate supply, jeonse, and monthly rent. The parts obtained by collecting comprehensive real estate taxes do not play a large role, so there is a need to adjust them appropriately.”

Representative Yoon Geon-young, whose constituency is Guro-eul, Seoul, appeared on MBC Radio and advised, “The most important thing in real estate policy is consistency,” and added, “If you undermine consistency, it will only lead to controversy regarding effectiveness.”

He pointed out, "It seems that the Blue House's intention is not to shake the policy framework," but added, "A reasonable solution must be found on how to best reflect public sentiment (about real estate)."