Blue House, on 'Hong Nam-gi Dismissal' Petition: "Committed to Overcoming Economic Crisis"

Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, is responding to questions at the plenary meeting of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 10th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] The Blue House responded on the 10th to a public petition demanding the dismissal of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki, who was embroiled in controversy over the 'major shareholder criteria' for the imposition of capital gains tax on stocks, stating, "Deputy Prime Minister Hong and the government have been dedicated to overcoming the economic crisis caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)." It added, "The government will continue to do its best to build an exemplary economic nation alongside the people, following our success as a model country in quarantine."

The Blue House Public Communication Center made this announcement through responses to two public petitions posted on the Blue House website that day: ▲abolishing capital gains tax on major shareholders ▲dismissing Minister Hong Nam-ki. Recently, President Moon officially reaffirmed his confidence in Deputy Prime Minister Hong, who had expressed his intention to resign.

Regarding the capital gains tax on major shareholders that triggered the dismissal demand for Deputy Prime Minister Hong, the Blue House explained the government's policy, saying, "Through close consultations among the ruling party, government, and the Blue House, considering changes due to the planned introduction of financial investment income taxation in 2023, investors' concerns about the stock market impact, and recent global economic conditions and market uncertainties, it was decided to maintain the current scope of taxable major shareholders as those holding more than 1 billion KRW per stock."

About 210,000 people participated in the petition to abolish the 'capital gains tax on major shareholders,' while approximately 24 people signed the petition demanding the dismissal of Minister Hong Nam-ki.

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