Kim Minseok, Lim Gwanghyeon: "Real Estate Party-Blue House Disconnect Was Misrepresented"; Agree to Closer Communication

Agreed to Pass Budget Bill by Statutory Deadline and Actively Address Opposition Concerns

The Democratic Party of Korea and the Blue House said reports of a “rift between the party and the Blue House” over real estate taxes were inaccurate. Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party, and Presidential Chief of Staff Im Kwang-hyun agreed to strengthen communication between the party and the Blue House.

Kim and Im met on November 10 in the Democratic Party’s conference room for its leader at the National Assembly. At a briefing after the meeting, Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Yong-woo said, “We discussed communicating more closely between the party and the Blue House going forward, although we have been doing well so far. We also discussed having the Blue House’s senior secretaries communicate more closely and frequently with the party and lawmakers whenever there are major policies or pending issues, whether by forming groups or individually.” Lee said the meeting was held for Im and Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Choi In-ho to pay a courtesy call after taking office. He added that most of the conversation during the private meeting was in the nature of greetings, rather than a detailed discussion of pending issues or policies.

Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, presents a congratulatory orchid to Presidential Chief of Staff Im Kwang-hyun, who visited his office at the National Assembly on the 10th to pay a courtesy call after taking office. Yonhap News Agency

There was also an explanation regarding reports of a rift between the party and the Blue House after their positions diverged at the November 8 high-level ruling party-government consultation. The Democratic Party called for standardizing the basic deduction for the comprehensive real estate tax on owners of a single home at KRW 1.4 billion in publicly announced value, regardless of whether they live in the property, while the government proposed maintaining different deductions for owner-occupiers and non-resident owners. Lee said, “Regarding the recent real estate issue, people are talking about a so-called ‘rift between the party and the Blue House,’ but that is completely untrue. Real estate is an issue to which the public is particularly sensitive, and we confirmed that both sides are managing it carefully.” Lee explained that the reports of a rift had been distorted and did not reflect the party’s official position or the course of official discussions.

Lee said the two sides also emphasized the need to pass the budget bill by the statutory deadline. They agreed that it was necessary to actively explain the Future Response Fund and other issues raised by the People Power Party.

Earlier that day, in public remarks, Kim said, “The most important national task is to ensure that the country’s growth translates into growth for all its people. We must ensure that higher growth forecasts and achievements such as export and current account records reach every aspect of our people’s daily lives. There is much for the party and the Blue House to work through together, including the budget, legislation to improve people’s livelihoods, and social reform.”

Im said, “To fulfill the responsibility entrusted to us by the people, the party, government, and Blue House must trust one another, communicate closely, and join forces. We will strengthen communication among the party, government, and Blue House and provide the support needed to meet the public’s expectations.”

Newly appointed Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Choi In-ho said, “The party, government, and Blue House will become one and do their utmost to deliver results for people’s livelihoods and in governing the country.” Lee said he understood that Choi had also visited the People Power Party, adding, “It is a basic duty of the senior presidential secretary for political affairs to communicate actively with the opposition as well, until the threshold wears down.”

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