Minister Kim Yun-duk of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on the 13th regarding Chinese purchases of real estate in Korea, "I think it is not fair."
At a National Assembly Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit at Yeouido in Seoul earlier that day, Minister Kim answered this way to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Kim Eun-hye, who asked, "Korean nationals cannot purchase real estate in China, so do you think it is fair that Chinese people purchase real estate in Korea?"
When lawmaker Kim followed up by asking, "Do you agree that the state should protect the rights of its people under the principle of reciprocity?" Minister Kim answered that he agreed.
Minister Kim said, "I agree that there may be some loopholes in the current process by which foreigners acquire land in Korea," adding, "We are formulating and proceeding with countermeasures."
Lawmaker Kim said, "Chinese nationals are enjoying what our people cannot. Looking at the status of foreign speculation, Chinese nationals are overwhelmingly No. 1," and pointed out, "The rights of our people are being violated."
In response, Minister Kim said, "It would be good to keep in mind that China's social system differs from Korea's," while adding, "If there are legal limits that allow foreigners to be treated preferentially, I will make sure they are corrected."