Yoon Seok-yeol: "Why should the people bear the health insurance premium bomb when the government failed in real estate?"... Ruling party: "Stop spreading falsehoods"

Yoon: "Moon Administration's Failed Real Estate Policies Caused Domino Effect of Price Surges"
"Will Break the Chain of Price Surges Through Regime Change"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is receiving a bouquet from a supporter while attending the '2021 K-Pet Fair Ilsan' event held on the 19th at Kintex in Ilsan, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, criticized on the 19th regarding the increase in health insurance premiums for regional subscribers, saying, "The government caused the failure of real estate policies, so why should the citizens who were just standing still be hit with a tax bomb and a health insurance premium bomb?" In response, the Democratic Party of Korea pointed out, "Do not spread misinformation with unverified statements."

On the morning of the same day, Yoon opened his post on Facebook by saying, "It is said that the health insurance premium for regional subscribers in November will increase by an average of 6,754 won. Another 'surge news' that discourages the people."

Previously, as recent income and property data were reflected in the calculation of health insurance premiums for regional subscribers, new standards were applied from this month. Accordingly, among the total 7.89 million regional subscriber households, 2.65 million households (33.6%) will see an increase in premiums, 2.63 million households (33.3%) will see a decrease, and 2.61 million households (33.1%) will have no change. The average premium per household increased by 6,754 won.

Regarding this, Yoon said, "Of course, some regional subscribers will bear more burden due to the new assessment criteria, and some will benefit. Expanding the property deduction amount is also good," but he pointed out, "Overall, the absolute amount to be borne increases. This is due to the surge in real estate prices."

He continued, "As house prices soared, jeonse (long-term deposit lease) prices also rose, and various taxes such as property tax increased. Consequently, health insurance premiums, which are based on house and jeonse prices, naturally increased," and criticized, "The failed real estate policy of the Moon Jae-in administration caused a domino effect of soaring burdens on the people."

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is touching his head while meeting with Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, at the party headquarters candidate's office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 19th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Yoon said, "The people are not at fault. They have only quietly engaged in their livelihoods," and added, "What returned to those people is a domino of surges: house prices, taxes, and health insurance premiums. The people have no place to complain and only bend their backs."

He also emphasized, "If I become president, I will consider reforming the health insurance premium assessment system," and said, "To increase fairness, I will gradually reform the assessment system toward an income-centered direction and find solutions to the chronic equity issues between regional and workplace subscribers."

Finally, he concluded, "This year must be the last for the tax bomb and health insurance premium bomb," and said, "With a change of government, I will firmly break this chain of surges."

However, the Democratic Party criticized Yoon's claim that "health insurance premiums increased as house prices rose," saying it is "groundless."

Shin Hyun-young, spokesperson for the Democratic Party's presidential campaign committee, said in a briefing that "One-third of the total regional subscribers saw an increase in health insurance premiums this year, and about one-third of the total regional subscriber households actually saw a decrease. The proportion of households with premium reductions, at 33.3%, has nearly doubled compared to 16.4% in 2018."

She added, "A reform plan to reduce the burden on regional subscribers has already been implemented. In addition to the existing property deduction amount, an additional 5 million won is being deducted from this month, and the basic deduction amount will be expanded to 50 million won in the future," and explained, "In December, for those who lost dependent status by exceeding the property standard and newly became regional subscribers, premiums will be temporarily cut in half."

Shin then said, "Yoon's claim is groundless and is just 'mischievous misinformation' thrown out to attract attention," and sharply criticized, "As the presidential candidate of the main opposition party, is it acceptable to continue such irresponsible remarks?"

She questioned, "For whom does Yoon intend to reform the health insurance premiums toward an 'income-centered' system?" and said, "Is it for high-asset owners such as multi-homeowners? Following his remarks on comprehensive real estate tax, we hope he stops making claims that show no grasp of reality. The people want real policies and real pledges based on evidence and measures."

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