"Delayed Pension Reform, Growing Skepticism Toward Yoon Administration"
Han Minsu, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, addressed the party's internal calls for reforming the comprehensive real estate holding tax (종합부동산세, Jongbuse) by stating, "Discussions on Jongbuse reform have not officially been placed on the meeting table," and added, "We are currently in a situation where opinions are being exchanged," aiming to calm the controversy.
On the 29th, during YTN Radio's 'News Fighting, this is Bae Seunghee,' Han said, "I believe healthy discussions have begun within the Democratic Party," and "We will carefully discuss and proceed while considering what the public desires."
Discussions on Jongbuse reform within the Democratic Party started when Ko Minjung, a Supreme Council member, and Park Chandae, the floor leader, mentioned redesigning the tax. Jin Seongjun, the Policy Committee Chair, who initially distanced himself by calling it a "personal opinion," later stated, "Since the floor leader and Supreme Council member have reform ideas, internal discussions are inevitable," and added, "If there are unreasonable aspects that do not undermine the essence of the Jongbuse introduction, improvements can be made." Meanwhile, the People Power Party has proposed to the Democratic Party a comprehensive reform of real estate taxation, including Jongbuse, during the 22nd National Assembly.
Spokesperson Han also agreed on the necessity of discussing Jongbuse reform. He said, "Since Supreme Council member Ko and Chair Jin have raised the issue, we cannot avoid discussions," and "There will be a full party meeting later, and it is necessary to hear the opinions of party members."
He further gave a positive evaluation of the Democratic Party leading political and policy issues despite being in opposition. Han stated, "The public sees the Democratic Party not as confused but rather as if it were the ruling or a governing party," and "Even conservative media point out that the ruling party is being led on major issues such as pension reform and Jongbuse."
Regarding pension reform, which was not passed on the 28th during the last plenary session of the 21st National Assembly, he criticized, "Who is the ruling party now, and who is the president?" and "It makes one fundamentally skeptical about what the Yoon Seok-yeol administration wants to accomplish." Han pointed out, "The president talked about education, pension, and labor reforms," and "The National Assembly had almost reached an agreement, with only the income replacement rate left unresolved, and even though the opposition leader said they would accept criticism from civic groups and agree to it, they now say they cannot do it."
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