Kim Du-kwan "Opposes Greenbelt Release... Very Bad Message for Real Estate Market"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Kim Du-kwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed opposition to the issue of lifting restrictions on development in greenbelt areas, saying it sends a very bad message to the real estate market.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In an interview with KBS Radio's "Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs" on the morning of the 20th, Rep. Kim said, "I don't understand where the idea of lifting the greenbelt comes from when the population should be dispersed to local areas and more green spaces need to be created."

He added, "Seoul is not the whole of Korea," and said, "I fundamentally oppose it because it is a phenomenon that goes against balanced development." He continued, "This is a problem that should be resolved through balanced policies and industrial policies, not by lifting the greenbelt," and pointed out, "The 3rd New Towns have not yet been sold. Even if the greenbelt is lifted to increase supply, residents can only move in after four years. Yet, every time supply was expanded, housing prices rose and the problem was not solved, right?"

Regarding the July 10 real estate measures prepared by the ruling party and government, he mentioned the need to strengthen tax policies by subdividing the tax base brackets. Rep. Kim said, "The tax base should be further subdivided and the comprehensive real estate tax rate increased to reduce speculative demand," and added, "Basically, strengthening holding taxes and transaction taxes is the right direction."

On the controversial remarks made by fellow party member Jin Sung-jun, he said, "I understand it as an attack by conservative media and others trying to find a pretext to criticize the Democratic Party," and emphasized, "The Democratic Party is firmly committed to controlling housing prices. Since President Moon Jae-in also has a strong will, I hope the public trusts this promise and unites their efforts."

Regarding calls for the dismissal of Kim Hyun-mi, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, he stated, "There is a saying that changing a general during a war is not right," and added, "My personal view is that Minister Kim should take a more proactive stance on real estate policies."

Meanwhile, on the issue of constitutional amendment mentioned by National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok, he expressed support, saying, "There has always been talk that the 1987 Constitution does not fit the times." He emphasized, "However, if a constitutional amendment is made, I hope it strengthens citizens' basic rights and introduces the concept of public land ownership," and added, "It should include economic democratization, the spirit of May 18, and the spirit of the June Democratic Uprising, and also be a decentralized state-type constitutional amendment."

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