Koo Yooncheol: "Real Estate Tax Reform to Be Pursued Cautiously While Monitoring Price Stabilization"

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yooncheol stated regarding the potential increase in real estate taxes, "Our position is to proceed cautiously while monitoring real estate price stabilization, but we will make prudent decisions depending on market conditions."

In a media interview on the 29th, Deputy Prime Minister Koo explained, "Through the tax reform plan, we normalized 3.56 trillion won (35.6 trillion won) in taxes over five years."

Regarding defense cost negotiations with the United States, he said, "Nothing has been decided yet," and added, "If we increase the defense budget, indirect costs are also included. We will respond in a way that is in line with our capabilities and benefits our national interest."

On the question of when the 15% automobile tariff will be applied, Deputy Prime Minister Koo said, "We are currently holding working-level discussions to lower it as soon as possible," and added, "We will do our best to ensure it is reduced to 15% as originally planned."

Addressing concerns about the 2026 budget proposal and worsening national debt announced today, Deputy Prime Minister Koo stated, "If we increase the growth rate, the denominator of the gross domestic product (GDP) rises, which reduces the deficit and debt," and emphasized, "Our intention is to secure mid- to long-term fiscal soundness."

He continued, "The previous administration adopted passive fiscal spending to manage fiscal soundness or national debt, which ultimately led to a decline in the growth rate," and added, "(For next year's budget proposal,) growth is our top priority."