Han Jeoung-ae, chair of the Democratic Party's policy committee, described the government's 2026 tax reform proposal as "efforts to normalize taxation to protect people's lives and strengthen a virtuous cycle in the economy," rebutting the People Power Party's criticism as "a baseless political attack."
"The property tax reform aims to protect actual residents and improve tax fairness," Han said at the party's policy coordination meeting on the 6th. "It was designed to differentiate benefits between homes for actual residence and those for investment or speculation, thickly protecting actual residents while normalizing the tax burden on high-priced homes."
She stressed that the reform "provided a sufficient grace period so people can respond to changes in their tax burden, and eased payment deferral requirements to accommodate elderly people without income." She added, "The ISA benefits are not being reduced. Rather, investment opportunities and benefits will expand, as re-enrollment after contract termination and overlapping enrollment in newly created ISAs become possible."
Regarding tax support for marriage and childbirth, she said, "We converted the existing tax credit into a fiscal support method so everyone can receive support regardless of income level." She criticized, "It is regrettable that this is being distorted as an abandonment of marriage and childbirth policy."
"Making false claims while knowing the facts is the height of irresponsibility, and spouting sophistry without knowing is the height of ignorance," Han said. "I hope the People Power Party will properly check the details."
On the government's property policy, Han said, "We are well aware of public concerns about housing supply and the jeonse (a Korean lease system requiring a large lump-sum deposit instead of monthly rent) and monthly rent markets." She said, "We will thoroughly attend to supply and financial measures, centered on the party's housing market stabilization task force, which is being expanded and reorganized."
Meanwhile, on Japan's claim to sovereignty over Dokdo, Han said, "Historically, geographically and under international law, Dokdo is clearly the inherent territory of the Republic of Korea." She urged, "The Japanese government must immediately halt sovereignty claims that run counter to a future-oriented South Korea-Japan relationship."
