Rep. Bok Gi-wang of the Democratic Party of Korea on the 23rd apologized over the controversy about the remark "1.5 billion won apartments for ordinary people," saying, "I am sorry for not choosing the correct term."
Bok, the ruling party secretary of the National Assembly Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee, said in a personal statement during the committee's audit of government agencies that afternoon, "If my (interview) remarks caused hurt, as a public figure I myself regret and feel sorry for not choosing a better and more appropriate expression."
Bok said, "'Ordinary people' is a general expression for those without privilege who cannot enjoy economic wealth, and in an era of polarization, the middle class has collapsed, so using the concept of the middle class felt somewhat ambiguous, and my hasty word choice worried Seoul residents and the public," adding, "I will strive to choose more accurate terms going forward."
Earlier that morning, Bok appeared on YTN radio and said, "There is a perception that nationwide, apartments around 1.5 billion won are where ordinary people live, so we did not touch policies concerning 1.5 billion won apartments and youth, newlyweds, and the like."
The explanation came while addressing criticism that the Oct. 15 real estate measures were "kicking away the ladder." Bok assessed, "For (regulated) dwellings that are (1.5 billion won) or more, it is less a housing ladder than a process of broadening and accumulating one's wealth."
But the opposition party criticized Bok's remarks as "a perception out of touch with the reality that most residents live in apartments under 1 billion won."
Rep. Kim Jae-seop of the People Power Party wrote on Facebook, "For the vast majority of young people and ordinary people, even buying a 500 million won apartment without a loan is like picking stars from the sky," adding, "People are already fuming because they can't buy a home, and the Democratic Party rubbed salt in the wound on purpose."
He continued, "The government and the Democratic Party say they did not reduce loans for end users, but that is a lie," noting, "Policy loans apply only to some end users such as young people, newlyweds, and families with multiple children, and many more young people and ordinary people fail to meet eligibility requirements and have no choice but to rely on general loans."
As of the end of Sep., based on the KB market price sample, apartments in Seoul priced over 1.5 billion won account for 32.5% of the total.