"Without Even a Home" Kim Eo-jun Sparks Controversy Over 'Derogatory Remarks About Commoners'

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun has sparked controversy for making remarks that seemed to belittle common people during a radio broadcast. He targeted listeners who do not own homes by saying, "You don't even have a house."

On the morning of the 17th, Kim appeared on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' and invited Park Jumin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, as a panelist to discuss the amendment to the Housing Lease Protection Act.

That day, when Kim said about the amendment, "It seems that landlords are uncomfortable," Park responded, "It seems that landlords and conservative economic media or conservative outlets are uncomfortable."

Kim then said, "For a long time, in our country, homeowners have been the dominant party, and everything has been accepted as they demanded," adding, "Because (homeowners' claims) were all accepted, many people seem to feel uncomfortable about the amendment."

He then targeted citizens who criticized the amendment despite not owning homes, saying, "You don't even have a house..." Some listeners criticized Kim for this, calling it "remarks belittling common people."

Meanwhile, the amendment to the Housing Lease Protection Act aims to strengthen tenant protections, but some criticize the law as unconstitutional for infringing on citizens' property rights.

According to the amendment to the Housing Lease Protection Act proposed by Park and Democratic Party member Yoon Hoo-duk, landlords cannot refuse contract extensions without special reasons. The lease period will also be extended from 2 years to 4 years. Rent increases will be limited to within 5% annually.

Regarding this, Park's side appeared on YTN Radio's 'Noh Young-hee's Start New Morning' on the 11th and rebutted, saying, "Although there is a slight restriction on (landlords') property rights, it is difficult to see it as an infringement."

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