On February 11, 2026, political tensions in South Korea reached a boiling point during the 432nd National Assembly’s extraordinary session in Yeouido, Seoul, as the government’s real estate policies and broader legislative agenda came under fire from the opposition. The People Power Party (PPP), the country’s main conservative opposition, led a barrage of criticism against the Lee Jae-myung administration, zeroing in on issues ranging from housing supply to special investigations and labor reforms.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, standing at the center of the storm, faced a series of pointed questions from lawmakers, most notably from PPP member Yoon Jae-ok. According to JoongAng Ilbo, Yoon likened President Lee’s approach to real estate enforcement to the forceful crackdowns on illegal valley businesses, suggesting, “The government is trying to solve real estate issues by force, just like illegal business crackdowns in the valleys.” Kim Min-seok, however, rebuffed the accusation, insisting, “This is not the method of a dictatorial government.” He went on to stress that the newly proposed real estate supervisory agency was not an oppressive body that would fabricate crimes, responding, “The real estate supervisory agency is not an institution that invents crimes to oppress people.”
The debate quickly shifted to the government’s redevelopment and reconstruction policies. Yoon Jae-ok pressed Kim, asking whether private-sector redevelopment and reconstruction had become taboo under the current administration’s real estate measures. Kim replied, “Not at all. Private redevelopment is important,” but took a swipe at Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, noting, “Despite the emphasis on redevelopment and reconstruction during Mayor Oh’s tenure, there was no significant progress.”
This exchange did not go unnoticed. Later that day, Mayor Oh Se-hoon took to Facebook to deliver a scathing rebuttal. As reported by Munhwa Ilbo, Oh called the government’s understanding of redevelopment and reconstruction “beyond disappointment, at a despair level.” He accused Kim Min-seok’s comments of being “clear fake news,” pointing out that redevelopment projects in Kim’s own Yeongdeungpo district had moved forward: “The Daegyo Apartment redevelopment in his district received business implementation approval after just 2 years and 5 months, and other districts like Singil 2 and Dangsan 1 are actively progressing.” Oh added that industrial zones with poor business prospects had their floor area ratio eased to 400% to support redevelopment, and he questioned whether Kim was truly unaware of these developments.
Oh also criticized the Democratic Party for what he described as a disastrous housing supply policy during the previous mayor’s term, stating, “During the previous administration, 389 redevelopment zones covering 430,000 housing units were removed, turning Seoul into a supply desert.” He urged the Lee Jae-myung government to “abandon outdated ideological views and wrong habits about redevelopment and reconstruction,” warning that “the victims of the government’s ignorance and indifference are the people.”
Meanwhile, other flashpoints emerged during the National Assembly session. PPP lawmaker Shin Sung-beom grilled the government over its push for a second special investigation law, questioning its necessity given extensive prior investigations and acquittals related to Kim Kun-hee. “Why do we need a second special investigation?” Shin asked, citing the deployment of 120 prosecutors and 700 personnel in previous probes. He pointed out that the main targets of the investigation—stock manipulation and nomination interference—had resulted in acquittals or dismissed charges. Shin went so far as to suggest that taxpayers should seek compensation for what he viewed as a wasteful process.
Kim Min-seok, careful not to escalate the debate further, responded, “I hope the second special investigation will be thorough and leave no regrets.” The issue of supplementary investigative authority for prosecutors was also raised, with Shin questioning Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho about ongoing controversies. Jung replied, “We are delivering and discussing opinions through various channels,” indicating that the matter was still under negotiation within the government and the ruling party.
Another contentious topic was the upcoming implementation of the so-called Yellow Envelope Act, an amendment to labor union law Articles 2 and 3, set to take effect next month. Yoon Jae-ok cited a survey by the Korea Employers Federation, highlighting that 77% of companies were worried about legal conflicts, 99% wanted supplementary legislation, and 63.6% were calling for a delay in the law’s enforcement. “Is there any consideration to postpone the law’s implementation?” Yoon asked. Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon acknowledged the concerns, saying, “We understand the difficulties faced by companies, but delaying the law’s enforcement could cause even greater confusion.”
Regional administrative integration was also on the agenda. Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Myung-sun questioned the progress of special bills aimed at merging administrative regions. Kim Min-seok warned, “If the relevant bills do not pass the National Assembly by the end of February, regional integration will be nearly impossible due to the administrative and election preparations required.” Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-joong added that efforts would be made to prioritize the relocation of public institutions to regions that successfully achieve integration.
The high-stakes debates of February 11 were not just about policy details—they reflected deep divisions over the direction of South Korea’s governance. The ruling Democratic Party and the opposition PPP presented starkly different views on real estate, labor, and judicial reform, each accusing the other of either ideological rigidity or administrative inertia. For citizens watching these exchanges, the stakes are tangible: housing supply, job security, fair investigations, and the very structure of their local governments all hang in the balance.
As the clock ticks toward key legislative deadlines and the implementation of controversial laws, the political temperature in Seoul shows no sign of cooling. Whether these heated debates will translate into effective policy—or simply more gridlock—remains to be seen. For now, South Koreans are left to ponder whose vision will ultimately shape their cities and livelihoods.