[Reporter’s Notebook] To Gain Support for Jeonse Damage Policies... Start with a Reality Survey

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Kim] "I can't even get back the deposit I borrowed money for, and I'm barely managing to pay the interest. Telling me to take out another loan to move is just nonsense that shows a complete lack of understanding of reality." These are the words of tenants who recently suffered from Jeonse fraud in Michuhol-gu, Incheon.

Thousands of households have faced auction and the risk of losing their deposits due to Jeonse fraud cases involving figures known as the 'Villa King', 'Construction King', and 'God of Villas'. In response, the government announced preventive measures and emergency housing support, including low-interest emergency loans at around 1% using the Housing and Urban Fund for tenants already trapped in the fraud. However, the victims met on site unanimously described these measures as "ineffective policies that do not properly reflect reality."

Regarding this, an official from the relevant ministry lamented, "Since last November, we have requested local governments to conduct surveys on the average deposit amounts, loan amounts and proportions, and interest levels of the affected tenants, but proper progress has not been made."

Usually, when a crisis occurs, officials from the relevant ministries rush around to put out the fire. However, most policies announced tend to be short-term fixes. This is likely because there is no time to thoroughly examine why the problem occurred and what solutions the victims most need. Of course, short-term measures to resolve immediate issues are necessary. But policies made without careful consideration can be discarded after use or become patchworks through repetitive cycles of supplementation and revision.

Especially in cases like Jeonse fraud, where victims have different circumstances and stories, conducting a thorough survey is an essential process. Only then can the policies introduced gain empathy from victims and function properly in reality. Another tenant said, "The Michuhol-gu Jeonse fraud has been highlighted mainly as affecting people in their 20s and 30s, but there are likely many elderly victims who are not familiar with SNS communication and are poor at gathering information." The message is that at sites where victims exist, surveys must be conducted to uncover hidden victims and take appropriate measures.

It is not easy to devise policies that satisfy everyone. However, to increase the perceived effectiveness of policies by beneficiaries, it is essential to listen to voices from the field. Citizens waiting for measures should patiently wait until durable policies are prepared, rather than pressuring the government to release quick fixes.