President Moon in Speech: "Government Has Nothing to Say on Real Estate"
Effectively Admits Failure to Stabilize Prices
Lee Jae-myung, Gyeonggi Governor: "Doubtful if Bureaucrats Earnestly 'Completed the Mission'"
Former Lawmaker Yoo Seung-min: "Blaming Others Without Reflection for 4 Years"
President Moon Jae-in is selecting a reporter to ask a question from among those who raised their hands after delivering a special speech on the 4th anniversary of his inauguration at the Chuncheon Briefing Room of the Blue House on the 10th. / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As President Moon Jae-in has virtually admitted failure in the government's real estate policy, opinions within the political circle are divided over the cause. Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung criticized the bureaucrats, saying, "I question whether the bureaucrats sincerely carried out their mission," while former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min directly rebutted, saying, "I hope you stop blaming others. Did the bureaucrats create the real estate measures?"
On the morning of the 10th, President Moon held a special speech and Q&A session at the Blue House Chunghwagwan to commemorate his 4th anniversary in office, stating, "The most regrettable issue over the past four years has been the real estate problem," and added, "We failed to achieve the goal of stabilizing real estate prices and received a severe judgment in the recent by-elections."
He continued, "Regarding the real estate issue, the government has nothing to say. Coupled with the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) corruption scandal, we received a wake-up call and a harsh judgment in the recent by-elections," bowing his head.
This is the second time President Moon has admitted failure in real estate policy. Earlier, at the New Year's press conference in January, he apologized to the public for the first time since taking office, saying, "I am deeply sorry to the people who are greatly discouraged by the difficulties in housing."
As President Moon virtually admitted policy failure by stating that the goal of stabilizing real estate prices was not achieved, the political circle showed differing opinions on the cause.
On the same day, Governor Lee wrote on his Facebook, calling it a disgrace that the country is ruled by a 'bureaucratic party' rather than the ruling party. He argued, "If the ruling and opposition parties handle the direction of national management, in reality, it is the career bureaucrats who exercise power directly on the ground. Detailed execution plans are also created by the hands of bureaucrats."
He added, "Bureaucrats whose status is guaranteed under the career civil service system persist regardless of changes in political power," and pointed out, "Although they appear to obey delegated authority as appointed officials, in reality, they maintain an independent power structure under names like 'Gwanpia' and 'Mopia.' This is why the saying that the country is governed by a 'bureaucratic party' rather than the ruling or opposition party has long circulated."
Governor Lee raised suspicions that bureaucrats did not properly carry out the president's policy directives. He emphasized, "I question whether the bureaucrats swiftly and sincerely carried out their mission," and said, "The more efficient the policy, the greater the resistance from vested interests, so the citizen-centered thinking and practice of senior bureaucrats who create and implement specific policies according to the set direction are of utmost importance."
Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min gave a lecture at the People Power Party's freshman meeting "Myeongbulheojeon Conservative" held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the morning of the 6th. / Photo by Yonhap News
On the other hand, the opposition rebutted, urging not to blame the bureaucrats for government failure. Former lawmaker Yoo posted on Facebook, "This administration has blamed the previous administration every time a policy failed over the past four years," and asked, "Did the bureaucrats create the series of failed real estate measures over the past four years?"
Referring to Governor Lee's claim that the country is governed by a 'bureaucratic party,' Yoo responded, "They blamed the bureaucrats who resisted reform for the failure of real estate policy, but wasn't the problem that the bureaucrats did not resist the wrong orders from the Blue House and the Democratic Party and just followed them?"
He added, "If there had been even one brave bureaucrat who resisted, the real estate disaster could have been prevented," and criticized, "Blaming others without reflection for four years is the same for both the president and Governor Lee."
Meanwhile, President Moon emphasized in his speech that he will strive to protect real estate end-users during the remainder of his term.
President Moon stated, "Through close consultation and coordination among the party, government, and Blue House, we will supplement real estate policies that the public can sympathize with," and emphasized, "We will expand policy support to ease the burden of homeownership for actual owners such as the homeless, newlyweds, and youth."
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