Ruling and opposition figures continue sharp public criticism of Seo Yeon-hwi, head of a key real estate organization, over his defense of vested interests in the housing market. Even allies within his circle, including younger members, have voiced internal dissent by revealing company insights.
MOLIT Spokesman Calls Out Vested Interest Framing
Park Sung-hoon, senior spokesman for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated on the 16th that efforts to portray protection of real estate vested interests as safeguarding citizens’ housing amount to misleading framing. He emphasized, “Real estate activists lack proper standing in the ruling party, opposition, or Democratic Party alike, leaving no room for such ideological stances to gain traction.”
Park added, “Public policy must align with public benefit before invoking public sentiment, as citizens will not be easily deceived by manipulated narratives.”
Former Lawmaker Highlights Policy Shifts
Yoon Hu-deok, a former People Power Party lawmaker, criticized the stance, noting that during the COVID-19 pandemic, citizens faced pressure to “sell homes and live off interest.” He remarked, “Now, the call is to protect personal properties despite evident self-interest.”
Analysis indicates that by 2030, standard apartment sizes will double from the current 28-30 pyeong range, making large units the norm rather than a full escape from landlord burdens. Yoon urged, “Sell oversized apartments and redirect funds to investments like stocks.”
Democratic Party Responds to Recent Remarks
Kim Hyun-jung, deputy floor leader for the Democratic Party, countered recent comments, recalling a statement from the 14th: “I’m a first-generation homeowner. Unable to relocate now, but planning to return home post-term—real estate concerns aren’t personal anxiety alone.”
She questioned, “What drives presidential candidates’ housing representatives to shift positions six times? Citizens worry more about these six policy flips than large-scale apartment analyses for first-generation owners.”
Innovation Party Slams Leadership Disconnect
Han Ga-seon, spokesman for the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, described the presidential representative as “nameless,” rejecting claims excluding first-generation owners from real demand policies. He warned, “Labeling others nameless risks dismissing all candidates, as multiple properties plague many.”
The representative faces declining support due to housing policy weaknesses, with one figure noting an “overall sentiment explosion from posing as real demand holders despite six properties.”
