Politics · South Korea · 6 hrs ago
South Korea's Democratic Party Divided Over Property Tax Relief
South Korea's Democratic Party is facing divisions on two fronts: controversy over alleged mass party enrollment linked to Shincheonji, and disagreement over property taxes.
At a meeting on Nov.
8, the party asked the government and presidential office to set the basic deduction threshold for the comprehensive real estate tax at 1.4 billion won, regardless of whether owners live in the home.
The presidential office said property tax was not discussed at the meeting, leaving the impression that it did not share the party's position.
Party lawmaker Park Joo-min urged caution about easing the tax, and a party spokesperson said the request was not an agreed party position.
The disagreements are complicating leader Kim Min-seok's effort to shift the party's focus to everyday concerns after apologizing over the Shincheonji issue.
The party says it will gather lawmakers' views, while one lawmaker said its leaders should settle the tax question.
South Korea’s Democratic Party is divided over a proposal to set the basic property-tax deduction at 1.4 billion won regardless of whether a home is owner-occupied.
The proposal was raised at a high-level meeting on November 8, but the presidential office said property tax and owner-occupancy were not on the agenda.
Democratic lawmaker Park Joo-min said the issue of easing the tax burden should be approached cautiously.
The disagreement has emerged as party leader Kim Min-seok seeks to shift attention to people’s livelihoods after a controversy over mass membership applications linked to the Shincheonji church.
- Who
- South Korea’s Democratic Party, the government and the presidential office.
- What
- The party is divided over a proposal to set the basic comprehensive real estate tax deduction at 1.4 billion won regardless of owner-occupancy.
- When
- The proposal was raised on November 8; the disagreement was reported on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea, including discussions in Seoul and at the National Assembly.
- Why
- The proposal was presented as a response to public concern about property policy and Seoul home prices. The sources do not state a definitive reason for the presidential office’s position.
Democratic Party members supporting the proposal
Presidential office
Property-tax deduction
Democratic Party members supporting the proposal
The party raised a 1.4 billion won basic deduction regardless of whether the home is owner-occupied.
Presidential office
The office said property tax and owner-occupancy were not discussed at the meeting.
Tax relief
Democratic Party members supporting the proposal
Some party members presented the proposal amid concern about public reaction to property policy and home prices.
Presidential office
The office did not publicly endorse the proposal in the account.
Kim Min-seok said the party would pursue internal reform and focus on unity and people’s livelihoods.
At a high-level government-party meeting, the Democratic Party raised a proposal for a 1.4 billion won basic property-tax deduction regardless of owner-occupancy.
A presidential office official said the comprehensive real estate tax and owner-occupancy were not meeting topics.
Park Joo-min called for caution on easing the tax burden, while another party spokesperson said the proposal was not the party’s settled position.
- Proposed basic deduction
- 1.4 billion won
- Proposal raised
- November 8, 2026
- Party lawmaker expressing caution
- Park Joo-min
- Party leader
- Kim Min-seok
- Report published
- November 10, 2026
1 source
What people are saying
Since the government has also settled on its current position after various discussions, it is right to approach the issue of easing the comprehensive real estate tax burden cautiously.
The party has conveyed various opinions to the government and the presidential office, but the comprehensive real estate tax and owner-occupancy were not meeting topics.
The party will make self-purification efforts and pursue institutional improvements so that concerns about religious intervention in politics within the party disappear.