The Democratic Party has urged the government to extend through next year a special exemption from owner-occupancy rules in land transaction permit zones and recognize lease renewals. Kwon Chil-seung, the party’s policy committee chairman, said on the 15th that the move would address tenant housing instability and help stabilize jeonse and monthly-rental markets. The zones cover all of Seoul and 15 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, where approved buyers must move in within four months and reside for at least two years. A May exemption allows non-homeowners buying homes with existing leases to defer occupancy until those contracts end, but it applies only to qualifying purchases and permit applications completed by year-end. The party wants the exemption extended to non-homeowners buying homes next year and to tenants exercising renewal rights, allowing residence for up to four years in total. The proposal comes amid concerns within the Democratic Party about declining approval ratings and public anger over real estate policy, including criticism that the government’s real estate tax reform bill needs further supplementation.