Song Young-gil "A Reflective Attitude, This Is the Democratic Party and Park Ju-min"
Opposition Criticizes "Is This Enough?" Approach
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Park Jumin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who sparked controversy over 'rent increase,' was praised by fellow party member Song Younggil as "a figure who responds through action" after it was revealed that he lowered the rent and renewed the lease. On the other hand, the People Power Party raised their voices in criticism, saying, "It's absurd to give a disease and then offer medicine."
Earlier, Park faced controversy when it was revealed that he raised the rent by 9% about a month before the passage of the 'Housing Lease Protection Act Amendment' last year.
On the 4th, Song posted on his Facebook, "Park reportedly lowered the rent by 9.3% and renewed the lease yesterday (the 3rd)," adding, "Putting money aside, accepting criticism and responding with action rather than explanation is truly characteristic of Park Jumin."
He continued, "It also seems to reflect a reflection on the negligence and lack of thoroughness in allowing the practice to continue. This is the Democratic Party, and this is Park Jumin," and said, "I believe he will walk the path of a 'Democratic Party politician' with a heart walking on a blade again because of this incident."
Song then targeted the People Power Party, stating, "The moral standards required of the Democratic Party and the People Power Party are clearly different," and argued, "Even if a People Power Party member raised rent higher than the 5% standard we set, it might not have become a big issue in the media or society. This is because expectations for People Power Party politicians are low."
As Song's remarks became known, the People Power Party immediately responded, saying, "The bad habit of blaming the People Power Party for mistakes made by the Democratic Party has surfaced again."
Park Ginyeong, deputy spokesperson of the People Power Party Central Election Countermeasures Committee, issued a statement that day, saying, "Song praised Park as if he were a hero in troubled times while mentioning the People Power Party," and added, "Isn't this why the public perceives that 'the Democratic Party's reflection is even false'?"
He continued, "Recently, (Park) lowered the monthly rent and renewed the lease, which is absurd?a case of giving a disease and then offering medicine. In the end, if it hadn't been caught, it would have passed unnoticed. Is this enough?" He criticized, saying, "Is the path of a Democratic Party politician only filled with hypocrisy, double standards, and incompetence? They should show a humble attitude and a posture of self-restraint."
According to the National Assembly Public Relations and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Real Transaction Price Disclosure System, Park signed a lease contract on July 3 last year for his apartment (84.95㎡) in Sindang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, which he owns, with a deposit of 100 million KRW and monthly rent of 1.85 million KRW. The previous rent was a deposit of 300 million KRW and monthly rent of 1 million KRW, and applying the then current jeonse-to-monthly rent conversion rate of 4% meant the rent was raised by 9.1%.
Since this contract was a new lease, it was not subject to the jeonse and monthly rent cap system, but there were criticisms that it went against the spirit of the 'Lease 3 Laws,' which limit rent increases to 5% to minimize tenant burden. Park was also the main proposer of the amendment to the Housing Lease Protection Act, which included these provisions.
As the controversy intensified, Park apologized, saying, "I am sorry for not managing this thoroughly," and resigned from his position as head of the Digital Public Relations Headquarters of Park Youngsun's Democratic Party Seoul mayoral campaign on the 1st.
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