Kang Seung-woo is the Business Desk editor at The Korea Times. Prior to this position, he covered politics, national affairs, finance and sports.
Moon's remark on rental housing spark debate
President Moon Jae-in talks with Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kim Hyun-mee, center, and Korea Land and Housing Corp. (LH) CEO Byeon Chang-heum, right, a nominee for new land minister, during Moon's on-site inspection of public rental housing in Dongtan in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. / Yonhap
By Kang Seung-woo
By Kang Seung-woo
President Moon Jae-in's words during his on-site inspection of a major public rental housing complex are creating a stir, coupled with public anger at his administration's failed real estate policy to curb rising housing prices.
On Friday, he visited the complex in Dongtan in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, with Land Minister Kim Hyun-mee and Korea Land and Housing Corp. (LH) CEO Byeon Chang-heum, who has been tapped as Kim's replacement.
With Byeon giving a tour of a 44-square-meter home, Moon confirmed Byeon's remark that the home was enough for a household with two adults and two children.
This led to huge public and political criticism of Moon, with many people saying a 44-square-meter house is not nearly room enough for a four-person family.
As controversy rose, Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok said, Saturday, that Moon's remark was part of a confirmation on Byeon's explanation, and it was his questioning, not stipulating, adding conservative media distorted his remark.
But the criticism continued. “Whether it was a question or a stipulation is not important. Is it common sense to look at that small home and ask such a question?” Rep. Kim Eun-hye of the main opposition People Power Party said in a statement.
“What people want is to own a home where they want. They feel frustrated as the President tells them to live in 44-square-meter public rental housing forever.”
Some said the President should set an example.
A public petition was posted on Cheong Wa Dae's website, Saturday, to demand that the size of Moon's post-retirement residence be no bigger than 19 square meters.
“Based on the President's remarks that a couple could raise two children in a 44-square-meter rental home, I think 19 square meters would be enough for Moon and his wife,” the petitioner said.
It was reported in June that Moon bought about 2,630 square meters of land in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, to build a residence to live in after retirement.