The Democratic Party of Korea criticized People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok for describing multiple real estate holdings as "for actual residence" and proposed a full survey of real estate owned by lawmakers from both parties.
Park Su-hyeon, the Democratic Party chief spokesperson, said at a National Assembly press briefing that "the People Power Party said there are many multiple-property owners among the presidential office and Democratic Party lawmakers," adding, "Has the People Power Party perhaps conducted a full survey as well? I hope leader Jang Dong-hyeok will respond to the proposal for a comprehensive survey of lawmakers' holdings of dwellings."
Park, the chief spokesperson, said, "Leader Jang said all six dwellings are either for actual residence or have other purposes, and he even dragged in President Lee Jae-myung and Democratic Party floor leader Kim Byung-kee," adding, "Did he calculate that muddying the waters to that extent would cover up his own hypocrisy?"
Park said, "It's said that even in a cemetery, there is no grave without a story. The public does not want to hear the stories of Jang's six dwellings," adding, "Six elaborate stories cannot substitute for the earnest, desperate dream of one home."
Park went on to say, "Leader Jang should immediately resign as Director General of the special committee on real estate normalization set up within the People Power Party and either change its name to the 'cooperation for dwelling stabilization' special committee, or newly take office as 'chairperson for dwelling sweeping.'"
Park also questioned Jang's explanation that the value of his real estate holdings is 850 million won, saying, "Is that the actual transaction price, or the officially assessed value?" and added, "By tomorrow it will quickly come to light in the media, so if it is by any chance based on the officially assessed value, please disclose the facts yourself today."
Park meant that Jang may have released the price of his real estate holdings using the officially assessed value, which is lower than the actual transaction price.
Regarding criticism from the People Power Party over the resignation of former first vice minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Lee Sang-kyoung, Park countered, "They were attacking the (policy) messenger, and now that the messenger is gone, they are shaking the policy itself," calling it "a classic political offensive tactic of wagging the head with the tail."
He added, "In the People Power Party's commentary on the Oct. 15 measures, there is only criticism of the policy, and no policy proposals for the public can be found," and asked, "Are the Oct. 15 measures really worth zero, and only the People Power Party's claims worth a perfect 100? At that level, it is arrogance beyond oneself." He continued, "If there are shortcomings or concerns about the Oct. 15 measures, please point them out calmly."