▲The Seoul chapter of the Democratic Party of Korea held a meeting on the 6th to discuss the government's property tax reform plan and supply measures. Many concerns were reportedly raised, particularly over the strengthening of taxation on non-resident single-home owners. Some lawmakers even shifted blame to others, saying that Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's redevelopment and reconstruction policies had caused the supply shortage and worsened the shortage of jeonse (a Korean lease system requiring a large lump-sum deposit) and monthly rental housing. With "real estate sentiment" in the Seoul metropolitan area deteriorating, centered on the "Han River belt," it appears the party is already deeply worried about the 2028 general election. If it is genuinely concerned about housing insecurity among ordinary citizens, it should present complementary measures to the tax reform and supply solutions during the parliamentary review process.
▲Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, targeting Foreign Minister Cho Hyun who called the Unification Ministry's North Korea vision "idealistic," rebutted on the 6th, saying, "There must be ideals to change reality." The previous day, Cho had disparaged the Unification Ministry's vision for four-party talks among the two Koreas, the United States and China, calling it "hope based on idealism" and adding, "I hope they would offer a bit of a discount." Following issues such as the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, the long-standing conflict between the pro-alliance faction and the pro-independence faction appears to be resurfacing. Even if there are differences among ministries, shouldn't the country speak with one voice externally, at least on diplomatic and security matters?
