8·31 대책 21년 뒤 [권태호 칼럼]

On August 31, 2005, the Roh Moo-hyun government unveiled its "8·31 Comprehensive Housing Policy," building on the emphasis on comprehensive property tax (종합부동산세). The announcement came during a press conference, where Vice President Han Duk-soo and Finance Minister Yang Dong-seok declared, "Real estate speculation has come to an end."

President Roh stated, "Even if the heavens split in two, I will not let go of real estate." The tax base was lowered from 9 billion won to 6 billion won, and a new household-level tax was introduced to increase the burden on multi-property owners. The following day, headlines screamed "세금폭탄" (세im-tompahn) in the JoongAng Ilbo, "다주택자 보유세 최대 3배 폭등" (다juhakja boyusese ultaemyeot bangdeung) in the Maeil Business Newspaper, "투기 잡다 시장 잡을라" (tugija jabd a simyeong jabd ireul ra) in the Dong-A Ilbo, and "징벌적 과세" (jingbeoljeuk gusei) in the Maeil Business Newspaper.