Kim Han-gyu, senior deputy floor leader for policy of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, fired back on Sunday at opposition People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk's criticism that "the Lee Jae-myung government is dividing people who own homes from those who don't."
"He alone doesn't realize that he's failing to win any public sympathy," Kim said at a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly.
"Public support for the Lee Jae-myung government's real estate normalization is clearly evident in polls," Kim said. "According to a recent Gallup survey, the top reason for positive ratings of the president's job performance is the economy and people's livelihoods, followed by real estate policy."
Kim criticized Jang for joking the previous day that "my heart skips a beat just seeing the number six" — a reference to Jang's ownership of six properties.
"I don't find it convincing, but if there's a legitimate reason to own six homes, there's no reason for his heart to skip a beat," Kim said.
"As a multiple-home owner, you can either pay your taxes properly, or if you don't want to pay taxes, you can sell your homes," Kim added. "No one forced any choices — these were all his own decisions. I don't understand what the problem is."
Kim urged Jang to "stop presenting his personal interests as public opinion" and to "pay more attention to what the people actually want" as leader of the main opposition party.