[By-election Interview] Lee Jeong-geun "Give me just 2 years... I will be the solution to the comprehensive real estate tax issue"

By-election Candidate for National Assembly, Seocho-gap District

“For the past 20 years, I have been a Seocho resident focusing only on Seocho, and Seocho also needs me.”

On the 9th, Lee Jeong-geun, the Democratic Party candidate for Seocho Gap running in the National Assembly by-election held alongside the presidential election, is greeting citizens on the street. Photo by Candidate Lee Jeong-geun and 305 Production

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Lee Jeong-geun, the Democratic Party candidate running for the Seoul Seocho-gap constituency in the National Assembly by-election held alongside the 20th presidential election, recently stated in an interview with Asia Economy, "Unlike those who easily won riding on Seocho-gap’s party support, only I, who have focused solely on Seocho for 20 years, can devotedly solve Seocho’s problems," emphasizing, "Please entrust Seocho-gap to me for just two years."

Candidate Lee mentioned that although he lost to conservative candidates in the Seocho area, a traditional affluent neighborhood and one of the three Gangnam districts, in the 2016 20th general election, the 2018 7th local election, and the 2020 21st general election, he willingly decided to run for the fourth time. Regarding why he repeatedly runs in Seocho instead of seeking nomination in his hometown Gunsan, Jeonbuk, he said, "Others suggest I run in areas where the Democratic Party is relatively strong, but I have never considered running outside Seocho and want to work for Seocho."

He also expressed the need for political change in Seocho, where support for conservative parties is entrenched. Candidate Lee said, "I believe Seocho residents will judge the irresponsible resignations of former lawmaker Yoon Hee-sook and former district mayor Jo Eun-hee." He introduced his experience in party politics as a strength compared to competing candidates, having served as the Democratic Party’s deputy secretary-general, vice-chairman of the Policy Committee, and chair of the Seoul Party’s Housing Welfare Special Committee.

On the first day of the official campaign for the 20th presidential election on the 15th of last month, candidate Lee Jeong-geun took the stage near the Gangnam Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu to appeal for support. On that day, before the speech by Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, key figures including Song Young-gil, the Democratic Party leader, urged support for candidate Lee. On the 9th, Lee Jeong-geun, the Democratic Party candidate for Seocho-gap running in the parliamentary by-election held alongside the presidential election, greeted citizens on the street.
Photo by Lee Jeong-geun and 305 Production

As his number one pledge, Candidate Lee proposed resolving the comprehensive real estate tax issue and stated that if elected to the National Assembly, he will work in the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee to solve the comprehensive real estate tax problem within two years.

He said, "To resolve the comprehensive real estate tax issue, I need to persuade the 172 Democratic Party lawmakers. As the party’s deputy secretary-general, I have been explaining the necessity of resolving the comprehensive real estate tax issue to our party’s lawmakers and have been leading the persuasion," expressing confidence by adding, "Not only presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung but also Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil recognize the need to ease the comprehensive real estate tax and have promised institutional improvements."

Specifically, he plans to boldly reduce the comprehensive real estate tax for actual homeowners with one household and one home who have no speculative intent, abolish the tax for seniors aged 60 and over without income and long-term homeowners, and adjust the current tax brackets to make real estate taxes more realistic.

He is also proactive about abolishing the excess profit recovery system related to reconstruction and remodeling, which is as important as the comprehensive real estate tax. Candidate Lee said, "(Seocho has) 36 reconstruction and redevelopment areas. Excessive excess profit recovery and the price ceiling system are major obstacles to the swift progress of reconstruction and remodeling in Seocho-gu," adding, "Reconstruction and remodeling complexes should be specialized by zones, and the floor area ratio should be raised to 500%. According to the increased floor area ratio, tenants will also be able to receive housing."

He also plans to improve the issue where some school facilities in redevelopment areas are outdated, infringing on children’s right to learn despite high educational enthusiasm. Candidate Lee said, "Parents can tell their children to endure, but school facility problems can be a significant factor hindering children’s learning rights and emotional growth," adding, "Along with real estate issues, I will also resolve problems related to school facilities."

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