Kang Hoon-sik: “We’re set to end the notion that real estate is a can’t-lose bet… we have many policies ready”

“We have everything ready—taxation, supply, all of it”

“President Lee wants the party and government to operate as ‘one team’ on legislation and policy”

Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to President Lee Jae-myung, said on the 14th that “we have a great many policies ready” regarding measures to stabilize the housing market, adding that the administration’s guiding stance is to “end the so-called notion that real estate is a can’t-lose bet” under this government.

Appearing on the YouTube program “Maebul Show” that day, Kang said, “In a recent poll, the top area where people said the president is doing well was the economy and livelihoods; second was diplomacy; and third was real estate,” and made the remarks in that context.

He said this showed “the market is beginning to believe” in the government’s resolve to stabilize the market, stressing that “there was a process of confirming that the era of making money through real estate investment can now be curbed, and that process will continue going forward.”

Asked whether the prepared measures were focused on taxation or supply, he said, “Everything is ready, whether it’s taxes or supply,” adding, “In a word, it’s ‘Lee Jae-myung gets it done’” (the president’s past slogan in the 20th presidential election emphasizing execution).

In response to a question about whether aides tried to dissuade the president from taking the lead in pushing a real-estate policy drive, Kang said they did not, adding that the attitude was not “you shouldn’t do it ahead of an election,” but rather “how can we make it work?”

He said, “We’ve already experienced achievements twice—such as the Korea-U.S. trade negotiations and the KOSPI breaking above 5,000,” adding, “People are now aligned around the view that the president must see through this challenge, treat this inflection point as a decisive gambit, and make it a success.”

On President Lee’s reaction to the Democratic Party’s recommendation of attorney Jeon Jun-cheol as a candidate for the comprehensive special counsel post, Kang said, “He even asked people around him, ‘Why would they have (recommended) someone like this?’” again dismissing reports that the president was enraged.

Regarding media reports citing an aide as saying “the president was furious,” Kang said, “That was an overstatement, though I can say aides were displeased,” adding, “I haven’t seen the kind of rage or public scolding associated with the previous administration from (this president).”

On criticism that friction between the party and the presidential office has continued, he said, “The biggest pillar is making people’s lives easier through the realization of legislation and policy,” adding, “Of course reform matters, but I assume what the president wants most is for things to proceed smoothly as one team (on legislation and policy implementation).”

He added, “In that sense, I do feel it would be better if it were a bit smoother—more soft-edged.”

He said, “In any case, we’re aware there’s a lot of talk like this,” adding, “That’s why the president keeps trying to embrace and bring the party along.”

Asked whether the president is stressed by negotiations with the United States, which has signaled renewed tariff hikes, Kang said, “He’s more composed than you’d think,” adding, “The president understands well that if we overreact in these negotiations, it could actually damage the national interest.”

On prospects for winning a C$60 trillion won-scale Canadian submarine procurement project, he said, “The (leading candidates) have been narrowed down to Germany and South Korea,” adding, “The current score is 49 to 51, and we’re at 49.”

He added, “Canada’s trust in our submarines is very strong, and purely in terms of the submarine itself, Korea’s competitiveness is sufficient, but we need to earn points on other fronts as well—so it’s important to build the relationship with Canada.”

Regarding a meal on the 9th near Cheong Wa Dae, when he shared gukbap and drank soju with President Lee at Tongin Market, Kang said, “I asked the president, ‘You haven’t been able to drink much lately—what are you going to do?’ and he said, ‘I’m truly too tired to drink,’ and I replied, ‘Me too.’”

Asked whether he intends to run as a candidate for the head of a merged local government if an administrative integration between Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province is carried out, he said, “No. I’ve truly never had a moment to even think about that,” reiterating his existing stance.

Choi Soo-jin, Hankyung.com reporter naive@hankyung.com