Presidential Office: "10·15 Measures Were an Unavoidable Last Resort… We Apologize for the Inconvenience Caused"

"Assessing Stabilization Trend So Far… Supporting the Aspirations of Real Homebuyers and Those Without Homes"

"President Lee Emphasizes 'Money Move'… Cannot Deny Policy Impact on KOSPI Surpassing 4,000"

On Possibility of North Korea-US Talks at APEC: "Consider Likelihood Low, But Will Prepare Thoroughly"

Senior Secretary for Public Communication Lee Gyu-yeon, briefing on the deletion of illegal job advertisements in Southeast Asia (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Sang-kyun: Senior Secretary for Public Communication Lee Gyu-yeon gives a briefing at the presidential office in Yongsan on the 17th regarding the emergency deletion of illegal job advertisements in Southeast Asia. 2025.10.17 [Presidential Office Photo Press Corps] xyz@yna.co.kr

Lee Gyu-yeon, Senior Secretary for Public Communication at the Presidential Office, stated on the 27th that the government's 10·15 real estate measures were "a last resort."

In an interview with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on this day, Secretary Lee stated, "A spike in real estate prices will inevitably become a disaster in the future, and neglecting it could lead to even greater problems."

"I offer an apology for the inconvenience that some are experiencing," he said, while reiterating that "it is an unavoidable policy at this point in time."

However, he clarified that there are some misconceptions regarding the measures, explaining, "The Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio for first-time homebuyers remains at 70%, and loans of up to 600 million won are currently available for apartments valued at 1.5 billion won or less."

He emphasized, "The government intends to consistently support the aspirations of real homebuyers, newlyweds, first-time buyers, and those without homes to purchase property, and we plan to implement related policies consistently," adding, "We plan to introduce further strengthened measures sequentially, so please bear with us for a little while."

Regarding the possibility of follow-up measures such as strengthening holding taxes or easing the Reconstruction Excess Profit Recovery Act, he said, "We are closely observing whether the 10·15 real estate measures are moving in a direction that stabilizes the real estate market, and so far, we judge that it is moving toward a stabilization trend." He added, "If it effectively works on the market, there is no reason to necessarily play those cards."

Regarding the resignation of former Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Lee Sang-kyung following his YouTube remarks and controversy over gap investments, Secretary Lee explained, "The Vice Minister expressed his intention to resign through the Minister, and the Minister suggested that it might be for the best if he accepted it. If such remarks are perceived as offensive by the public, it is our job to accept that."

Regarding the general direction of policy, Secretary Lee appeared on the YouTube broadcast 'OhmyTV' that day and explained, "President Lee Jae-myung continues to speak about a 'Money Move.' We are setting a direction toward further revitalizing the stock market."

He then mentioned that the KOSPI surpassed the 4,000 mark during trading that day, emphasizing, "Of course, one cannot say it is 100% due to policy, but it is an undeniable fact that government policy has had an impact."

"Since stock indices can fall at any time, we are not swayed by short-term fluctuations," he added, "but we intend to maintain a policy stance that encourages a steady 'money move' from real estate to the stock market."

Regarding the possibility of a tariff deal during the South Korea-US summit held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Secretary Lee expressed the position that "currently, one can neither be optimistic nor pessimistic," adding, "It would not serve the national interest to be rushed by time constraints to reach a deal in line with APEC."

On the possibility of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, he said, "We do not have definitive information that the North and the US are making substantial attempts to contact each other."

He continued, "Given that North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui is visiting Russia yesterday, I do not believe the possibility is high," but stated, "However, as a surprise meeting could take place, we are preparing thoroughly." Yonhap News