"'Shut up,' said So Byeonghun: 'My remarks were inappropriate... I was referring to speculative forces'"

So Byung-hoon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning during the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee's audit of Gyeonggi Province held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office in Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do on October 20 last year.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Democratic Party lawmaker So Byeonghun apologized for saying, "I hope you shut up about unnecessary talk anymore," regarding the controversy over easing the comprehensive real estate tax (종합부동산세, Jonghap Budongsanse). He explained, "I said that to the forces outside who want to shake our government over the comprehensive real estate tax issue rather than our party's problem, as those forces kept appearing."

On the 23rd, in an interview with MBC Radio's 'Pyo Changwon's News High Kick,' So said, "Of course, there was context, but my remarks were inappropriate."

When the host mentioned So's controversial remarks, he replied, "I didn't feel it was that heated."

So bowed his head and said, "If anyone was hurt by those remarks, I apologize." He added, "There are speculators, forces protecting speculators, and a bigger force manipulating these two forces with an invisible hand. I can now see that force, but if I speak specifically, those forces won't stay still, so I think I need to stop there."

He said, "That force is very well organized and attacks the government without regard for anything else. As long as that force exists, any policy is difficult. However, I believe we must fight that force and improve things one by one; we must not back down."

Regarding the controversy over easing the comprehensive real estate tax within the party, he said, "Within the party, there is almost no talk about easing the comprehensive real estate tax, and it seems there is little agreement. Easing the comprehensive real estate tax is not something to rush, and since it affects the consistency of government policy, more discussion is needed to gather opinions at least once."

So emphasized again that "(those remarks) were directed at forces that keep talking as if there is a problem within the party," and that he was not speaking to lawmakers advocating for easing the comprehensive real estate tax within the party.

He said, "Lawmakers are sensitive to local public opinion. Even if one or two local residents speak harshly, they become intimidated. For lawmakers in the metropolitan area struggling with the comprehensive real estate tax issue, I tell them to say, 'Of course, we will ease the comprehensive real estate tax.'"

Earlier, on the 22nd, So posted on his Facebook, "The real estate issue has been difficult but is settling down under the Moon Jae-in administration. I hope you shut up about unnecessary talk related to real estate anymore," which sparked controversy.

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