Amid Ruling Party Divide Over Housing Policy, 'Pragmatist' Study Group Formed

With the 2028 general election approaching, voices calling for easing housing policy and those urging adherence to existing principles continued to clash within the Democratic Party on Monday, as the group announced that Rep. Lee Eon-ju and others had launched the 'Real Estate Pragmatism Legislative Study Group' and held a forum. Centered on Reps. Lee Eon-ju, Hwang Hee, Lee Su-jin and Kim Jun-hyuk, the group invited market experts to a forum at the National Assembly members' office building under the name 'Democratic Party Real Estate Pragmatism Study Group for Rent Stability.' Their constituencies include Seoul's Mok-dong as well as Seongnam, Suwon and Yongin in Gyeonggi Province.

At the forum, Rep. Lee Eon-ju identified the causes of the rental housing crisis as supply-and-demand issues in the lease market, distinctions between resident and non-resident owners, taxes, loans for ordinary citizens, and the land transaction permit system, saying the group would comprehensively analyze and discuss which factors are most decisive and serious. She emphasized that the word 'pragmatism' was chosen "with the aim of putting everything on the table regardless of ideology or camp." Rep. Kim Jun-hyuk said he "agrees with the housing policies of the Lee Jae-myung government," but added that the group would "listen to opinions on aspects that need to be improved during implementation and refine them."

Former party leader Chung Chung-rae pointed out on his Facebook page Monday that "the Lee Jae-myung government's policy of favoring resident homeowners must be upheld," and that "on sensitive housing policy, the party, government and presidential office must coordinate behind the scenes and speak with one voice, not lurch back and forth in a war of arguments." He made clear that he opposes the relaxation measure—which would raise the comprehensive real estate tax deduction threshold to 1.4 billion won even for non-resident single-home owners—and supports the government's plan, arguing that infighting within the party would not help.

Criticism also came from outside the ruling camp. Cho Kuk, head of the Innovation Party's Innovation Policy Research Institute, argued on Facebook Monday that "if the Democratic Party's claims prevail, the comprehensive real estate tax would be fully exempted for homes worth up to about 2 billion won regardless of whether the owner lives there," asking, "Will ordinary citizens and young people, who must shoulder jeonse and monthly rents, watch these benefits and still vote for the Democratic Party?"

According to a party official, although Floor Operations Senior Deputy Leader Cheon Jun-ho asked lawmakers at the general meeting the previous day to refrain from expressing individual opinions on housing policy, the confrontation between the launch of the pragmatism group and calls to uphold existing principles became public. As the election nears, how the ruling party settles its core policy direction—including easing the comprehensive real estate tax—has become a test of party unity.