Ruling Party Demands Real Estate Policy Reversal, Opposition Proposes "Truce Week"
People Power Party Criticizes Lee Jae-myung Government's Real Estate Policy as "Patchwork Fix," Demands Withdrawal
On October 27, 2025, the People Power Party (PPP) strongly criticized the Lee Jae-myung administration's real estate policies and demanded their withdrawal. Kim Do-eup, the PPP's policy committee chairman, stated in a statement released that day, "This government's real estate measures have been nothing but repeated patchwork fixes for the past ten days," emphasizing that the fundamental cause of the current real estate market turmoil lies in the government's policy failures. Chairman Kim specifically criticized that the series of real estate measures put forth by the government are not resolving market anxieties but rather exacerbating confusion, arguing that "for the sake of people's housing stability and the normalization of the real estate market, a comprehensive review of existing policies is needed, along with a search for a new market-friendly policy direction." The PPP stated that it will continue to conduct a thorough review of the government's real estate policies and will actively strive to improve policies when necessary. Furthermore, it promised to present constructive alternatives and participate in policy discussions to stabilize the real estate market and improve the housing welfare of the people.
The PPP believes that the current government's real estate policies suppress the market's autonomous functions and lead to excessive government intervention, which only deepens market instability. Accordingly, the PPP's position is that a policy shift is needed to ease government regulations and expand market autonomy to stabilize the real estate market. It also argues that the burden of housing purchases for actual demanders should be reduced through tax cuts and expanded financial support, and that market supply-demand imbalances should be resolved in the long term by expanding housing supply. The PPP plans to continuously monitor the current state of the real estate market and develop realistic and effective policy alternatives through close cooperation with market experts. Through this, it stated that it will do its best to contribute to the housing stability of the people and the healthy development of the real estate market. As the real estate problem is an important issue that is directly related to people's lives beyond simply an economic problem, the PPP pledged to continue to participate in policy discussions with a sense of responsibility.
Democratic Party Proposes 'Non-Partisan Truce Week' for APEC Success
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party (DP) proposed declaring a 'non-partisan truce week' for the successful hosting of the 2025 APEC Summit. DP leader Jeong Cheong-rae emphasized at the Supreme Council meeting that day that "The APEC Summit is an important opportunity to enhance South Korea's national prestige and promote economic development," and that "The ruling and opposition parties must cooperate on a bipartisan basis for its successful hosting." Leader Jeong went on to explain the background of the 'non-partisan truce week' proposal, saying, "It is important to stop political strife and show that we are working together only for the success of South Korea." The DP believes it is important for all parties to refrain from political wrangling during the APEC Summit and to show that they are cooperating for the benefit of South Korea. It is expected that this will not only show South Korea's mature democracy and spirit of cooperation to the international community but will also contribute to the successful hosting of the APEC Summit.
The DP hopes that the declaration of a 'non-partisan truce week' will create an atmosphere for the successful hosting of the APEC Summit and, furthermore, will serve as an opportunity to kick off cooperation for the development of South Korea as a whole. It also stated that it will strive to create a mature political culture in which the ruling and opposition parties respect each other and find agreement on major policy issues through dialogue and compromise even after the APEC Summit. The DP pledged to continue to present constructive policy alternatives and actively participate in solving national tasks through bipartisan cooperation to develop South Korea and improve the lives of the people. In particular, it emphasized that it will do its best to put its heads together and gather wisdom to solve urgent issues such as economic revitalization, stabilization of people's livelihoods, and social integration. Attention is focused on how the PPP will react to this proposal from the DP.
Presidential Office Draws Line on Remarks Targeting Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok, Saying "Not Official Position"
Meanwhile, the Presidential Office drew a line on the recent remarks by an official who seemed to be targeting Representative Jang Dong-hyeok, saying, "It is not the Presidential Office's official position." Chief Public Relations Secretary Lee Gyu-yeon clarified in a briefing that day, "The remarks were only personal opinions and do not represent the position of the entire Presidential Office." Chief Secretary Lee added, "The Presidential Office will refrain from mentioning specific politicians in the future and will be careful when expressing official positions on policy issues." The Presidential Office's explanation is interpreted as an effort to dispel the controversy over the Presidential Office's political intervention that has recently been raised in some political circles. The Presidential Office stated that it will continue to maintain political neutrality and focus on state affairs. It also emphasized that it will listen to the voices of the people and promote policies that are of practical help to the people's lives by gathering various opinions in the policy-making process.
The Presidential Office plans to strengthen education on the words and actions of public officials as an opportunity to this controversy and call attention to refraining from statements or actions that could cause misunderstandings. It also stated that it will strengthen communication within the Presidential Office and strive to restore public trust by increasing the transparency of the policy-making process. The Presidential Office pledged to continue to do its best to meet the expectations of the people and contribute to the development of the country. In particular, it emphasized that it will focus on solving major state affairs such as economic revitalization, stabilization of people's livelihoods, and foreign affairs and security, and promote policies that can bring about practical changes in people's lives. The Presidential Office promised to continue to communicate with the people, listen to their opinions, and constantly strive to improve their lives.
National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee Halts State Audit of South Chungcheong Province Amidst Heated Exchanges Between Governor Kim Tae-heum and Lawmakers
On October 27, 2025, the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's state audit of South Chungcheong Province was temporarily halted due to a commotion involving heated exchanges between South Chungcheong Governor Kim Tae-heum and lawmakers. At the state audit that day, questions and answers were exchanged on major issues in South Chungcheong Province, but conflicts of opinion arose over the content of questions from some lawmakers and Governor Kim Tae-heum's response attitude. In particular, high voices were raised in the process of Governor Kim strongly refuting allegations regarding the promotion process of a specific project, and the chairman eventually declared a recess. The state audit was temporarily suspended but was resumed after a smooth agreement between the committee members and Governor Kim. In-depth discussions were held on major policy issues in South Chungcheong Province at the state audit, and lawmakers also made constructive suggestions for the development of South Chungcheong Province.
