The day after President Lee Jae-myung's real estate grand forum, the Democratic Party of Korea promised "implementation" in response to the people. However, within the party, fierce debate is erupting over key policy directions mentioned by the president, such as "strengthening property holding taxes," and it is anticipated that there will be difficulties in preparing tax reform measures, which will be the first test.
On July 24, 2026, the Democratic Party of Korea held a supreme council meeting and stated: "We will thoroughly block speculation while firmly supporting the housing ladder for actual users and will prepare effective measures for rapid housing supply and residential stability for the people." This is the party's official position on the real estate policy national grand forum held the previous day under the chairmanship of President Lee Jae-myung. Han Byung-do, acting party representative and floor leader, emphasized at this meeting that "we will faithfully reflect the people's voices in policy," expressing his resolve to prepare follow-up measures.
Lee Ju-hee, floor spokesman, particularly noted that the tax reform measures scheduled for late this month to early next month will be "the first test of the promise to faithfully reflect the people's voices in policy." However, contrary to the party's external message, dramatically differing opinions are erupting within the party regarding policy directions mentioned by the president at the forum, such as strengthening property holding taxes.
Rep. Jin Sung-joon proposed unifying property tax and comprehensive real estate tax and implementing taxation based on total housing prices, appearing to align with the president's policy direction of strengthening property holding taxes. In contrast, Rep. Lee Eon-joo warned of the possibility of aggravating the jeonse and monthly rent crisis if property holding taxes on mid-range housing increase, arguing that "demand suppression measures should be reconsidered from the ground up and additional supply measures should be added," revealing differences in policy direction between the party and the Blue House. Kim Yong, former vice president of the Democratic Research Institute and a candidate for supreme council member at the extraordinary party convention on August 17, also stated "property holding taxes should not be increased further," demonstrating the intensification of debate within the party over policy direction.