Jin Seong-jun of the Democratic Party of Korea said a plan to raise real estate holding taxes is highly likely to be included in the July tax reform.
On the 30th, appearing on YTN Radio's "Jang Sung-chul's News Myeongdang," Jin, asked about real estate holding taxes, said, "There is a considerable possibility it will be included in the July tax reform." Jin serves as chair of the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts.
Jin also said, "(President Lee Jae-myung) holds the view that dwellings should not be held for speculative purposes. Those who hold unnecessary dwellings should rightly bear the burden." When the host asked whether the Democratic Party intended to raise the holding tax issue after the local elections, Jin said, "It seems only natural that the Democratic Party is strongly keeping that in mind," adding, "Even considering the elections, we have consistently maintained that the real estate issue needs clear resolution, and we have argued as much."
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol appeared on KBS Sunday Diagnosis on the 29th and, regarding a holding tax hike, said, "We are still listening to various opinions, so nothing has been decided."
Meanwhile, the ruling and opposition parties discussed the schedule for handling the government's supplementary budget (extra budget) on this day but failed to reach an agreement. The Democratic Party is pushing for passage at the plenary session on the 9th, while the People Power Party is calling for interpellation of the government and passage on the 16th.
Song Eon-seog, floor leader of the People Power Party, met with reporters after a bipartisan meeting hosted by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and said, "The Democratic Party kept insisting that the extra budget is urgent and must be passed at the Apr. 9 plenary session," adding, "The Democratic Party is using the term 'war extra budget,' but under the National Finance Act, it is merely an extra budget under the pretext of war."
By contrast, Chun Joon-ho, senior deputy floor leader for operations of the Democratic Party, said, "We are aiming to have it handled by the 9th," adding, "The public is desperately going through a crisis and pain, and at times like this, the ruling and opposition parties must join forces to swiftly review and pass the extra budget."