The president of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) told a National Assembly audit on Oct. 12 that home prices have a fair chance of falling sharply, drawing a reaction. A ruling-party lawmaker said suppressing demand is not for an LH chief to advocate.
According to Kyunghyang Shinmun, the LH president was asked at the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit by People Power Party lawmaker Kim Eun-hye why he had recently called for tighter loan rules for first-time buyers. He replied that there is quite a high chance of a sharp price drop and that he had raised the issue with that in mind.
광고 문의 · 300×250He said LH is supplying homes actively and that rising interest rates could stall price gains or push prices down considerably. He also noted that prices peaked in 2021 and fell substantially after rates rose. Asked how newlyweds and young people could buy homes, he said that once prices stabilize, those who do not buy right away will not lose out. The headline comes from that answer.
Earlier remarks and the ruling-party critique
Kyunghyang reported that he had also discussed loan rules on Sept. 30 at the Yongin semiconductor national industrial complex site, saying keeping the 600 million won cap on loans for homes priced up to 1.5 billion won would raise the housing ladder for many people, and noting first-time buyers get a 70% loan-to-value ratio. By his account, the aim of loan rules is to keep prices from surging or crashing and let them move gradually.
Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Il-young said young people and actual home buyers are frustrated with loan rules and supply should be accelerated, adding that restraining demand is not something an LH president should advocate. The report carries no reaction from government ministries or market experts, nor any People Power Party position beyond Kim's questioning. The price outlook is a personal view, not a verified forecast.
The remarks show the debate over loan rules and housing supply continuing into the audit room. One side may see prudence aimed at market stability; the other may see a comment that adds to the burden on actual buyers. How the government and LH will explain the remark later is unconfirmed.