Han Jung-ae, policy chief of the Democratic Party of Korea, speaks at a press briefing on current issues at the National Assembly on Sunday. [Yonhap]
Han Jung-ae, policy chief of the Democratic Party of Korea, speaks at a press briefing on current issues at the National Assembly on Sunday. [Yonhap]

Han Jung-ae, policy chief of the Democratic Party of Korea, said Sunday the party would coordinate with the government and finalize its position on the tax reform package by the end of August.

Speaking at a press briefing at the National Assembly on Sunday, Han said, "Since the tax reform package is likely to be finalized around the end of August, we will coordinate with the government and sort things out before then."

She said the party is continuing to gather opinions on various aspects of the reform, including a proposed reduction in benefits for single-home non-residents. She added that the party's housing market stabilization TF plans to hold its first meeting on Wednesday or Thursday.

Han also said the Seoul Metropolitan Government plays a critical role in housing supply decisions, as it holds permitting authority. "Small-scale greenbelt or green space development, and Yongsan Park, would be difficult without the cooperation of the Seoul Metropolitan Government," she said.

She added that the party had proposed to the government in January, when a supply package was announced, that housing near Yongsan Park should not become a privatized park for nearby residents. "We suggested it would be better to build homes of a national housing scale for young people, newlyweds and genuine end-users," she said.

Han also said she would like the Seoul Metropolitan Government to delegate permitting authority to district offices for smaller developments, such as those under 500 units.

On the controversy surrounding lawmaker Hwang Hee's remarks about a "youth bus house," Han apologized, calling it "a mishap that arose from trying to think of various ideas," and said, "We are truly sorry and apologetic that young people were unexpectedly hurt by the situation."

On housing supply methods, she proposed applying modular construction more actively to youth housing and non-apartment housing and expanding budget support, saying this could significantly shorten supply timelines.

On the ISA reform plan and the bill to prevent share price suppression — both of which President Lee Jae-myung has ordered a review of — Han said the existing ISA framework likely does not need to be changed, and that additional provisions related to productive finance could be handled selectively.

On the share price suppression prevention bill, she said the government's proposal falls considerably short of what the party originally intended. "The Ministry of Economy and Finance had been moving toward accepting the party's demands and making adjustments," she said.

Regarding disagreements among ministers over a proposed 52-hour workweek exemption clause — a key point of contention in the special law on mega special zones the government is pursuing — Han said it was entirely natural for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Employment and Labor to clash on certain points. "I think that is how it should be," she said.

She added that some issues would inevitably be passed to the National Assembly, and expressed hope that lawmakers would then engage in vigorous discussions with all stakeholders.

On heatwave countermeasures, Han said the party has asked the government to ease the progressive electricity rate system, and that the minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said the ministry would actively review the request.


hanira@heraldcorp.com