South Korean Prime Minister Han Sung-sook apologized during a National Assembly economic policy interpellation session on the 11th for the 11% rise in apartment prices since the Lee Jae-myung administration took office, while arguing that current prices alone cannot determine whether supply policy is succeeding. Han said housing projects require years to move from planning through groundbreaking to occupancy, making it essential for the government to provide credible estimates of when and how many homes will be available. People Power Party lawmaker Seo Il-jun countered that households need confidence they will be able to buy homes when they choose, rather than further supply promises. Lawmakers also questioned the government’s lending policy after its household-loan growth management target rose from 1.5% to 3% within four months. Han said rapid loan growth required demand-side controls focused on actual homebuyers, while supply-related loans and financing for young and first-time buyers were being supported. The session also highlighted scarce jeonse (large-deposit rental housing) listings in Seoul, a rise in monthly rentals around 3 million won, and criticism of youth housing proposals involving retired buses and bathtubs in goshiwon (small study rooms). In a separate tax debate, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol defended shifting incentives from ownership toward actual residence, while allowing exceptions for schooling, overseas residence and employment. Koo also supported a 1 billion won cap on the long-term holding special deduction for capital gains tax from 2029, saying high-value homeowners with large gains should bear more tax, while taxes would be reduced for the 99% living in homes worth 3 billion won or less. The session’s broader issue was whether the government can restore trust through predictable supply, lending, rental and tax policies while housing costs remain elevated.