Lee Dong-ju "Is Rent Freeze a Violation of Property Rights? Small Business Owners Face Property Rights Deprivation as Preventive Measure"

"'Is the 'Standard Suitable for Public Welfare' Harsher on the Vulnerable?'
Lee Dong-ju, Democratic Party Lawmaker Who Proposed 'Rent Freeze Law,' Strongly Refutes Property Rights Infringement Controversy"

Lee Dong-joo, Democratic Party lawmaker

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Lee Dong-joo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, responded to criticisms that the 'Rent Freeze Act' he proposed infringes on landlords' property rights by stating, "Small business owners have already had their property rights deprived to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)."

He also emphasized that he plans to promote the 'Tax Freeze Act,' which provides tax benefits to 'Good Landlords,' alongside the Rent Freeze Act.

On the 17th, Lee posted on his Facebook, expressing regret over the controversy regarding property rights infringement caused by the Rent Freeze Act, and stressed, "Our Constitution states, 'All citizens' property rights shall be guaranteed. The exercise of property rights shall conform to the public welfare.'"

He explained, "Small business owners and self-employed individuals have been deprived of opportunities to earn income due to infectious disease prevention measures. If the income earned from leasing commercial spaces is considered property, then the income earned from business operations is also property. The facilities, equipment, goods, and materials prepared by tenants for their businesses are also their property. The exercise of their property rights has been restricted for the public welfare of 'the people's lives.'"

He continued, "However, there was little concern that the assembly ban and restriction measures excessively infringe on the private property of tenant merchants," and added, "Reflecting on this controversy, I wonder if the standard of 'conforming to public welfare' is harsher on the vulnerable. As President Moon Jae-in said, we need to reconsider whether this is truly fair."

Regarding the 'Tax Freeze Act,' which is to be proposed following the Rent Freeze Act, he said, "It is a pair with the Rent Freeze Act," explaining that landlords who could not collect rent from tenants due to the Rent Freeze Act will receive a 75% deduction of that amount from income tax and corporate tax, and landlords who received only half the rent during the assembly restriction period will receive a 50% deduction of that amount.

He added, "I believe that reducing rent during the 'Three Lease Acts' and the assembly ban and restriction periods is essentially no different," and concluded, "I will continue to push forward with the Rent Freeze Act and the Tax Freeze Act without pause."

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