Song Eon-seok: "President Lee Faces Lame Duck Status from Day One... Blames Previous Administration for Real Estate Issues"

Criticism of the Government and Ruling Party at Interim Audit Evaluation
On Jang Donghyuk's Visit to Yoon: "No Particular Problem Noted"

Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, on October 20 criticized President Lee Jaemyung, saying, "There is a term circulating these days called 'Chwiimduck.' It means that a lame duck period has begun as soon as the president took office." He also strongly criticized the October 15 real estate measures, stating, "They only blame the previous administration."

At a press conference held at the National Assembly for an interim evaluation of the government audit, Song said, "It is still what can be called a honeymoon period, but signs close to a lame duck can be seen everywhere across politics and administration."

Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the National Assembly audit countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly on October 17, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Regarding Baek Haeryong, a police superintendent dispatched to the joint investigation team at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office investigating the 'customs drug investigation interference' allegations, Song remarked, "A mere superintendent, who is a mid-level police officer, is making light of the president's words." He explained that Superintendent Baek, who joined the investigation team by presidential order, refused to come to work on his first day citing vacation as an excuse, and appeared on YouTube to make statements contrary to the government's position, even claiming that "the investigation team is an illegal organization." Song added, "I have no idea what the reasons for Superintendent Baek's claims are."

Song criticized, "The government is acting like a disorganized group, each going their own way." He pointed out, "Even in the implementation of customs negotiation policies, the policy chief, the national security chief, and the deputy prime minister for economic affairs are all making different statements." He continued, "On the unconstitutional 'two-state theory,' the Minister of Unification and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are also making conflicting remarks."

He went on to say, "The fundamental cause of 'Chwiimduck' is the lack of leadership from President Lee." He further criticized, "President Lee is maintaining complete silence regarding the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's harsh criticism of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, which is directly related to his own public office election law trial."

Song strongly criticized the government's October 15 real estate measures, saying, "The pattern of failed real estate policies by leftist administrations-half-baked regulations, failed measures, and blaming others-has now become a formula that this administration is repeating." He added, "The public is now worried that the government will soon try to secure tax revenue through increases in officially assessed land values and property tax hikes." He pointed out, "The government is ignoring this reality and continues to blame only the previous administration."

He also said, "President Lee Jaemyung and many other members of the ruling party and government own high-priced apartments in land transaction permit zones, yet they accuse ordinary citizens without homes and those dreaming of owning a home of being greedy or speculative." He further urged the government to adopt policies to ease floor area ratio limits to promote reconstruction and redevelopment, and to expand the supply of private apartments near subway stations for young people, single-person households, and newlyweds.

Jang Donghyuk, also a representative of the People Power Party, defined the October 15 real estate measures as a "real estate terror" at the Supreme Council meeting held that morning, arguing, "The entire nation has fallen into a state of panic due to real estate measures without real solutions." Jang emphasized, "Clumsy policies stemming from a distorted view of real estate are following the dark history of the Moon Jaein administration and are bound to end in failure. Policies that divide the haves and have-nots or block private supply with anti-market measures can never succeed."

He added, "Now, what is left is a tax bomb," and said, "The downfall of the Moon Jaein administration began with a tax bomb on real estate. If the reckless Lee Jaemyung administration copies even the tax bomb of the Moon Jaein administration, the outcome is obvious." He further criticized, "The socialist economic experiments of the 586 generation administration will come at a heavy price," and sarcastically added, "Please, focus on real estate, not refrigerators."

The party leadership discussed the formation of a task force for real estate normalization measures at a closed-door meeting that morning, but did not reach a decision. Chief Spokesperson Choi Boyoon told reporters after the meeting, "We are considering personnel appointments for the real estate task force," and added, "It is highly likely that the appointments will be announced within this week."

When asked for his opinion on Jang Donghyuk's recent visit to former President Yoon Sukyeol on October 17, Song replied, "It is something that can happen personally," and "I did not feel there was any particular problem." He added, "Since it was a matter that Jang had promised several times during the party convention, it seems he went quietly. The special visit request was denied, so he went as a regular visitor."

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