Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee Faces Difficulties in Reviewing Special Act on Jeonse Fraud... Ongoing Conflicts Over Scope of Application

Government Submits Revised Proposal Amid Ruling and Opposition Disagreement
Uncertainty Over Inclusion in Full Assembly on the 2nd

On the 1st, the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee began reviewing a special law to support victims of jeonse fraud but failed to narrow differences. It is reported that the government submitted a revised proposal with a modified scope of application. Since the ruling and opposition parties have pledged to pass the bill through a plenary session on the following day, the 2nd, discussions are expected to continue late into the day.

On the same day, the Land Committee held a subcommittee meeting on land bills and began a joint review of the "Special Act on Support for Jeonse Fraud Victims and Housing Stability," proposed by Kim Jeong-jae of the People Power Party, the government and ruling party's proposal, along with the special jeonse fraud law bills proposed by opposition lawmakers including Jo O-seop of the Democratic Party and Shim Sang-jung of the Justice Party.

However, the ruling and opposition parties did not easily narrow their differences. In particular, it is reported that heated debates continued over the scope of application for victim support. Before the subcommittee started, Shim Sang-jung of the Justice Party told reporters, "According to the government proposal, there is no clarity on which victims among all can be supported and to what extent," criticizing it as a "'I don't care law'."

Kim Hee-guk of the People Power Party told reporters during the meeting, "The current discussion is whether this is an individual responsibility or if it should be seen beyond individual responsibility as a responsibility of our community," explaining, "Whether to treat it like floods, typhoons, earthquakes, or pandemics, the government says no."

He added, "Then, case by case, should all be covered by taxpayers' money? Some said that is too excessive," and said, "The current atmosphere suggests that the government proposal is insufficient in protecting tenants, so it seems difficult to reach an agreement."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Maeng Seong-gyu of the Democratic Party also said, "There was a three-hour discussion on which victims should be covered," adding, "It seems it will not be easy to create and proceed with the bill."

There were also differences between the ruling and opposition parties regarding the method of victim support. The government proposal advocates for LH (Korea Land and Housing Corporation) purchases and preemptive purchase rights, while the opposition demands the purchase of guarantee bonds. Jo O-seop of the Democratic Party said before the subcommittee, "Negotiations must continue," and added, "The priority should be to provide as much support as possible in the way victims want and allow them to choose what they prefer."

Kim Jeong-jae of the People Power Party explained, "The bill is still under discussion and lawmakers are expressing their opinions," adding, "Everyone agrees in principle that jeonse fraud victims should be supported this time, but the bill contents differ in terms of methods."

He continued, "The government just submitted a revised proposal that can flexibly expand the scope of application," explaining, "We are doing our best to ensure that everyone can be included as a support target in any way possible."

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