Presidential Office Denies Reports of Promotion Restrictions for Multi-Homeowners
President Lee Jae Myung has categorically refuted recent media reports suggesting that the Presidential Office, often referred to as the Blue House, is considering excluding public officials with multiple homes from promotion opportunities. The President clarified on the 28th that such claims are unfounded, emphasizing the administration’s stance on housing policies and the personal property rights of government employees.
Addressing the reports, which circulated widely on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), President Lee stated, “The Blue House does not instruct public officials with multiple residences to sell their properties or refrain from selling them.” He further asserted, “We have neither reviewed nor received any proposals regarding the exclusion of promotions for officials at grade 5 and above.”
Housing Policy and Personal Freedom
President Lee elaborated on the administration’s approach, explaining that pressuring public officials to divest their properties would implicitly acknowledge the ineffectiveness of current housing stability policies. “We have previously stated, ‘We may recommend selling, but we do not pressure,'” he reiterated. The President underscored that the decision to maintain multiple homes, even in the face of potential financial risks and losses, remains a matter of personal freedom for any public official, regardless of their rank. Any financial consequences arising from such decisions are solely the responsibility of the individual.
The administration maintains that it possesses sufficient tools to stabilize housing prices through the judicious application of its tax, financial, and regulatory authorities. President Lee expressed confidence that, free from political considerations or personal vested interests, housing prices can indeed be stabilized through the implementation of meticulous and consistent policy measures.
Precedent and Senior Officials’ Property Disposals
This clarification comes in the context of a previously established policy aimed at preventing conflicts of interest. This policy mandates the exclusion of public officials involved in real estate policy decision-making who own multiple homes or high-value non-residential properties. President Lee Jae Myung has consistently voiced his commitment to eradicating real estate speculation, a resolve that has reportedly prompted key aides within the Presidential Office to successively address their own multi-home ownership.
Notable instances include:
- Lee Seong-hoon, Secretary for Land, Infrastructure, and Transport: He is reportedly in the process of disposing of all three properties owned jointly by him and his spouse.
- Kim Hyun-ji, Chief of the Office of the Private Secretary to the President: Ms. Kim’s spouse owns an apartment in Daejang-dong, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and another in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. Reports indicate she is proceeding with the sale of the Cheongju property.
- Jo Seong-joo, Senior Secretary for Personnel Affairs: Mr. Jo owns an apartment in Seocho-dong, Seoul, and a mixed-use building in Sejong City. He has recently initiated the sale of the property located in Sejong City.
These actions by senior officials demonstrate a personal commitment to aligning with the administration’s anti-speculation agenda, even as the President clarifies the boundaries of policy intervention regarding personal property ownership. The focus remains on policy effectiveness and the ethical conduct of those involved in shaping housing regulations.
