Byungdo Han Responds to Opposition Criticism of Revised Tax Plan: "Outcome of Thorough Party-Administration Deliberation"

Opposition Responds to Lee Jaemyung Lame Duck Remarks:
"'Lame Duck' More Fitting for Jang Donghyuk's Far-Right Leadership"

Byungdo Han, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on September 3 that "the revised tax reform proposal is a rational outcome, reflecting both the opinions of the public and the market, and is the product of thorough consultations between the party, the government, and the presidential office." He added, "Contrary to the misguided hopes of the People Power Party, the party, government, and presidential office are working together more organically than ever."

At the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Han said, "The People Power Party attacks us by calling this a 'U-turn after 29 days.' I would like to ask them how listening to the voices of the people and reflecting this in policy can possibly be called being capricious or an unconditional surrender."

Byungdo Han, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering opening remarks at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on September 3, 2026. Photo by Dongjoo Yoon

He continued, "While the Yoon Suk Yeol administration and the People Power Party may have ignored the public and pushed through policies without change, the Lee Jaemyung administration and the Democratic Party do not conduct their work that way."

Regarding next year’s budget proposal, Floor Leader Han said, "We will now carry on this responsibility in the National Assembly," adding, "The Democratic Party will listen to the voices of the people and enhance the completeness of both the budget and the tax system." He also said, "For measures to prevent stock price suppression, which were not included in this revised tax proposal, we will prepare effective measures during the regular session of the National Assembly based on the bills proposed by our party’s lawmakers."

In addition, regarding People Power Party Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik’s mention of a lame-duck period for President Lee Jaemyung the previous day, Han said, "That is an utterly unreasonable claim." He added, "Just because someone states wishful thinking, it cannot create a lame-duck situation where one does not exist." Han further argued, "Rather, the leadership under Representative Jang Donghyeok, which is surviving through unprecedented political discipline and silencing of opposition, relying only on far-right politics, would be a better fit for the term 'lame-duck.'"

Floor Leader Han emphasized, "If you have no intention to move forward together into the future, you should at least not hold back a government that is working to get things done." He continued, "Even now, I hope the People Power Party, as the main opposition, regains its rationality and joins forces to improve people’s livelihoods."

Meanwhile, the government had initially pushed to strengthen taxation on non-resident single homeowners to block gap investment, but partially withdrew the plan due to public opinion and opposition from the ruling party. The basic deduction for non-resident single homeowners, which was originally to be reduced, will instead be maintained at the current level of 1.2 billion won. In addition, the government will reexamine the reform plan for the Individual Savings Account (ISA), withdraw plans to remove contract period restrictions and abolish the carryover limit for deposit amounts, and allow individuals to subscribe to both the Youth-type ISA and the Youth Future Savings Account at the same time.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.