President Lee: "Exclude Multiple-Home Officials from Real Estate Policy... Even Those Who Make Copies Will Be Removed"

President Lee Chairs Cabinet Meeting: "Real Estate Policies Must Be Prepared Thoroughly"

Firmly Strengthening Emergency Response to Middle East Shocks

"Universal Human Rights Principles for Warring Parties... Steps Toward Peace Needed"

Urges Swift Implementation of 'War-related Supplementary Budget'

'Administrative Penalty Rationalization'... "Punishments Are Overused"

On April 14, President Lee Jae-myung raised the issue of public officials who own multiple homes or high-priced properties, stating, "Remove everyone, even those who just make copies of documents," and directed, "Do not allow any vested interests to infiltrate real estate policies." Regarding the Middle East war, he emphasized that since peace negotiations have yet to find common ground, the government must further solidify its emergency response system in anticipation of prolonged high oil prices and escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. He also reiterated his message to the warring parties—including the United States, Israel, and Iran—stressing the need for efforts toward peace.

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Cabinet Meeting and Emergency Economic Inspection Meeting held at the Blue House on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee made these remarks while reviewing real estate policies at the Cabinet Meeting and Emergency Economic Inspection Meeting held at the Blue House that day. He stated, "Even employees who simply make copies of draft documents should not be allowed to own multiple homes," and requested, "Please prepare tax systems and real estate policies thoroughly." In response, Kim Yongbeom, policy chief at the Blue House, replied, "Vice ministers of each ministry are managing this," identifying the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Office for Government Policy Coordination, Financial Services Commission, and the Blue House Policy Office as the relevant agencies.

On March 22, President Lee had already instructed that multiple homeowners, non-resident owners of high-priced properties, and those with excessive real estate holdings should be excluded from the discussion, drafting, reporting, and approval processes for housing and real estate policies. In relation to this, President Lee explained on social media, "This is because there must not be even 0.1% of a flaw or loophole in real estate or housing policies."

He also called for a robust emergency response system in preparation for a prolonged Middle East war. According to President Lee, it is difficult to be optimistic about the situation, as peace negotiations have stalled and tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz are only growing. President Lee emphasized, "For the time being, we should expect continued difficulties in the global energy and raw material supply chains and persistently high oil prices," adding, "We must further strengthen the current emergency response system, taking these factors as constants."

He also urged the swift on-site implementation of the so-called "war-related supplementary budget" that passed the National Assembly. President Lee said, "Now that the supplementary budget has been finalized, it is urgent to quickly deploy these funds to the field to support people's livelihoods," and added, "Starting on the 27th, support payments for those affected by high oil prices will begin. Please be especially mindful to ensure that the inhumane treatment that occurred in some local governments during last year's recovery consumer coupon distribution is not repeated."

He further stated, "To ease the public's burden of transportation and to encourage greater use of public transit, quickly implement measures to expand incentives for the 'Everyone's Card' program," and emphasized the need to address structural weaknesses in the economy and industry revealed during the current conflict. He called for efforts to develop alternative supply chains, pursue mid- to long-term industrial restructuring, and achieve a departure from a plastics-based economy, designating these as "the nation's highest-priority strategic projects."

Apparently conscious of recent social media disputes involving the Israeli military, President Lee reiterated the need for efforts toward peace by the warring parties. Since April 10, when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared a video showing the dropping of Palestinian bodies and posted related statements, President Lee has continued to stress the importance of upholding universal human rights and complying with international human rights law. He appealed, "Based on the principle of universal human rights and the lessons of history, I urge you to take courageous steps toward the peace so desperately desired by the world."

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Cabinet meeting combined with the Emergency Economic Inspection meeting held at the Blue House on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News

The Cabinet Meeting also discussed the Ministry of Justice's "Plan to Rationalize Administrative Penalties." President Lee pointed out, "Punishments have become so widespread that they are indistinguishable from moral standards," adding, "This is the process of turning into a judicial state, a penal state." He continued, "Because almost anything can be punished criminally, the prosecution's investigation powers have grown excessively, leading to criticism that we are becoming a prosecutorial state, and we now face a situation where judicial power is being used for political ends."

President Lee went on to criticize the current legal system, stating that the principle of "nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege" (no crime or punishment without law) has effectively collapsed. He argued, "The regulations are too vague and, through broad interpretation and manipulation, have created a society without clear standards," and added, "By simply increasing statutory sentences, judges are unable to make reasonable rulings."

In this context, President Lee told Minister of Justice Jeong Seongho, "This time, we need to overhaul the criminal law," and stated, "Moral standards, administrative penalty standards, and criminal penalty standards must be distinct." He added, "Criminal penalties should be reserved as a last resort when necessary and must be applied strictly."

President Lee also offered condolences for the two firefighters who died in the line of duty while responding to a recent fire in Wando, South Jeolla Province. He said, "I pay tribute to the courage and dedication of the deceased who fulfilled their duty until death and wish them peace," and added, "My deepest condolences to their bereaved families." He continued, "While rapid suppression of fires is important, ensuring the safety of firefighters during suppression is also extremely important," and called on the relevant ministries to comprehensively review fire safety manuals and expand the introduction of firefighting robots, stressing the need to improve the fire response system.

With regard to industrial accident prevention, President Lee remarked, "It is fortunate that the number of deaths from accidents subject to disaster investigation fell sharply in the first quarter compared to last year, but there is still a long way to go," and instructed, "Each ministry must strengthen oversight of high-risk worksites and make every effort to improve safety management at small businesses."

Meanwhile, with less than five months left until the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo—the first international event since the integration of South Jeolla and Gwangju—President Lee directed the central government to actively support the event. He noted, "Given the potential for administrative gaps due to the June local elections, it is difficult to leave all preparations solely to local governments," and urged the central government to thoroughly review all preparations and provide necessary support.

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