Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok on the 15th sharply criticized the government's "10·15 real estate measures," saying, "If the young generation wants new-build apartments, does that mean they are driven by speculation?"
That day, the government announced real estate regulatory measures that newly designate all of Seoul and 12 areas in Gyeonggi as land transaction permit zones. By barring home purchases without actual residence, it completely blocked "gap investment." It also reduced the collateral loan limit for dwellings priced over 1.5 billion won in the Seoul metropolitan area and other regulated areas to a maximum of 400 million won.
Lee criticized the government's real estate measures as failing to resolve the supply shortage and suppressing the reasonable desires of the young generation.
Lee said, "With its real estate policy, the Lee Jae-myung administration has declared Moon Jae-in administration 2.0," and noted, "A real estate policy focused solely on taxes and regulations is starting again."
He said, "If you want to change the perception that 'a home is something you trade up,' you need to increase supply that fits reality," adding, "If it is 'a home you buy once and live in for life,' it is a new build, and it is a natural change to want a living space in the form one desires."
Lee said, "If young people living in spaces without underground parking garages, in older apartments built with parking for 1.1 cars or fewer per household, or in non-apartment types of spaces want new-build apartments, does that mean they are driven by speculation?" He added, "The desire to move to a new-build apartment because you are tired of pushing your car every morning, of getting minor scratches on your car two or three times a year with not a word from anyone, and of being late to work because of cars parallel-parked with the brakes engaged, is an entirely reasonable desire."
Lee said, "Even so, the Democratic Party refuses to acknowledge that the supply is lacking," and criticized, "The core of the Democratic Party's policy is taxes and loan regulations. That is why every real estate policy it puts forward distorts the market."
He jabbed, "The Democratic Party is fighting people's basic desires," and asked, "Why do politics like this?"