The government announced its plan to amend tax laws to strengthen the criteria for major shareholders subject to capital gains tax on stock transfers from the current "shareholders with over 5 billion won in stock per item" to "over 1 billion won." According to a public opinion survey, nearly half of our country believes that the current system should be maintained.
A survey conducted by Korea Gallup from the 2nd to the 4th of this month, targeting 1,002 people aged 18 and older, revealed results announced on the 5th, where 47% of respondents answered that they preferred the current standard of "over 5 billion won per item." The percentage of those who preferred changing the standard to "over 1 billion won per item" was recorded at 27%.
Among respondents who own stocks, 64% preferred maintaining the current standard, while 26% favored changing it to 1 billion won. Among supporters of the Democratic Party of Korea, 42% preferred "maintaining the current standard" and 36% preferred "changing it to 1 billion won," showing a preference for the benchmark of 5 billion won.
When asked, "What impact do you think changing the major shareholder criteria for capital gains tax to over 1 billion won per item will have on the domestic stock market?" 40% of respondents answered that it would have "a negative impact." Responses indicating it would have "a positive impact" stood at 20%, while 16% felt it would have "no impact."
Among stockholders, 54% answered "negative impact," 18% said "positive impact," and 17% stated "no impact." Among supporters of the Democratic Party of Korea, 31% indicated "negative impact," 30% noted "positive impact," and 17% said "no impact."
Korea Gallup also asked whether achieving President Lee Jae-myung's campaign pledge of "KOSPI 5000" could be realized within this government's term. 50% of respondents said it would "not be possible," while 27% believed it would be "possible." Among stockholders, 59% said it would "not be possible," and 31% thought it would be "possible." Among supporters of the Democratic Party, 33% felt it would "not be possible," while 46% responded it would be "possible."
When asked, "Which is more advantageous to invest in, the domestic stock market or overseas stock markets such as the U.S.?" 56% of respondents said "overseas stocks," while 21% opted for "domestic stocks." Among stockholders, 67% responded "overseas stocks," and 24% chose "domestic stocks." In their 30s, preference for "overseas stocks" reached 85%, while only 5% picked "domestic stocks."
The proportion of respondents who currently own stocks is 47%. Korea Gallup included indirect investments such as funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in this survey regarding 'stocks' other than physical stocks. Among those who reported their living standards as upper-middle, 67% own stocks. About 60% of those in their 30s to 50s are stockholders.
This survey was conducted through random sampling of virtual telephone numbers, using telephone interview methods. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, with a contact rate of 43.3% and a response rate of 12.1%. For more details, refer to the website of the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission.