Jung Chung-rae of the Democratic Party of Korea on the 24th asked the party to refrain, saying, "On sensitive economic policies such as real estate policy, the party's line is to quietly and firmly back the government." As criticism mounted over a string of gaffes by ruling bloc figures, such as "a 1.5 billion won apartment for ordinary people" and "save money now and buy a house later," it is seen as imposing a "refrain from comments" order.
Chief Spokesperson Park Soo-hyun of the Democratic Party delivered this at a briefing after the party's supreme council meeting that day.
He added, "Centering on the party's policy committee, we will swiftly form a task force for dwelling market stabilization, and the reason for this request is also to firmly support the government on economic policy."
On the People Power Party's criticism of the Oct. 15 real estate measures, he said, "The government should not dismiss this only as blame but carefully consider whether there is anything to heed."
He said, "If you look closely, the parts for which the public is scolding us now may have arisen while trying to defend against the People Power Party's political offensive with excessive explanations," adding, "If there are points and criticisms, we should look at them as an opportunity to give the public greater trust and reassurance with humility that we will examine them."
He went on, "The Democratic Party will carefully examine the Oct. 15 measures so that they can become measures that realize the dreams of ordinary end users, and will provide strong support centered on the dwelling market stabilization task force."
Since the announcement of the Oct. 15 measures, the Democratic Party has countered the People Power Party's "kicking away the ladder" criticism as a "frame." However, as public sentiment over real estate boiled over due to controversy over remarks by government and party figures, the party appears to be lowering the temperature of its response by saying it will "heed the advice."
Regarding calls to dismiss First Vice Minister Lee Sang-gyeong of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, who said in effect, "Save money and buy a house later," but then faced allegations of gap investing, Spokesperson Park said, "There was no position on that at the supreme council," adding, "I reiterate the line that we will solidly back government policy."
On the People Power Party's call to agree to handle within this year's regular session the "law to abolish the reconstruction excess profit recapture system," the Democratic Party's policy is to discuss it within the floor.
The reconstruction excess profit recapture system (rechohwan) is a system that recaptures up to 50% of the excess amount when development profits generated during reconstruction exceed 80 million won per union member. First introduced under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, the Democratic Party's line had been to maintain the system, but recently opinions to "abolish it" have emerged within the ruling party.
Riding the momentum, Policy Committee Chair Kim Do-eup of the People Power Party also said at the party's meeting on countermeasures for the National Assembly inspection that day, "Kim Eun-hye of the People Power Party has already introduced a bill for complete abolition of the system as the sponsoring lawmaker," proposing, "Let's swiftly handle the abolition bill in this regular session through a bipartisan agreement."
On this, Spokesperson Park said, "It is inappropriate to give a conclusive answer here," but added, "Since such a proposal exists, I expect that we will proceed with discussions centered on the floor leadership."