Politics · South Korea · 47 mins ago
South Korea's Ruling Party Faces Calls to Adjust Property Tax Policy
South Korea's government and Democratic Party leaders said they have no disagreement over changes to property tax policy.
They described the issue as already settled after recent claims of a split between the government and party leadership.
Lawmakers from the Seoul region continued to call for a policy shift, including lower comprehensive real estate tax burdens.
The tax is part of the country's property tax system, which is at the center of the dispute.
The calls show that some party lawmakers want a different approach from the position presented by their leaders.
No further decision or next step was reported.
South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party faces calls from some lawmakers to adjust property tax policy, including easing the comprehensive real estate tax burden.
Party leaders say the government and party have no policy disagreement and should maintain consistency.
Some lawmakers from the Seoul metropolitan area argue that policy should respond to changing market conditions and public concerns.
The government’s proposal would set a higher tax-free threshold for owner-occupied homes than for non-owner-occupied homes.
- Who
- South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party, government officials and lawmakers.
- What
- Some lawmakers are calling for property tax policy adjustments, while party leaders stress policy consistency and deny a party-government rift.
- When
- November 12, 2026; the debate followed a high-level party-government meeting on November 8.
- Where
- South Korea, including the National Assembly and Seoul metropolitan areas.
- Why
- Some lawmakers cite changing market conditions, rising average home prices in Seoul and taxpayers’ concerns.
Democratic Party and government leaders
Lawmakers calling for property tax adjustments
Policy direction
Democratic Party and government leaders
Leaders say the existing policy should remain consistent and the party and government are working closely together.
Lawmakers calling for property tax adjustments
They say property tax policy should be adjusted to reflect market changes and public concerns.
Tax-free threshold
Democratic Party and government leaders
The government’s proposal sets the threshold at 14 billion won for owner-occupied homes and 12 billion won for non-owner-occupied homes.
Lawmakers calling for property tax adjustments
Some lawmakers have called for the threshold for non-owner-occupied homes to rise to 14 billion won.
A high-level party-government meeting took place, after which the party was reported to have pressed for a uniform 14 billion won tax-free threshold.
President Lee Jae-myung hosted a dinner with the Democratic Party’s top two leaders.
Party leaders stressed policy consistency and denied a party-government disagreement, while lawmakers continued to call for adjustments.
- Government proposal
- 14 billion won threshold for owner-occupied homes; 12 billion won for non-owner-occupied homes
- Requested change
- Some lawmakers want the non-owner-occupied threshold raised to 14 billion won
- Party leader
- Kim Min-seok
- Floor leader
- Han Byeong-do
- Published
- November 12, 2026
4 sources
What people are saying
The basic principle of the real estate policy being pursued by the party and government is that it is better to maintain it consistently, and that has already been settled.
There is clearly no discord between the party and the government.
It is right to adjust appropriately after carefully considering the position of the people who pay taxes.
The most important thing in real estate policy is consistency.