Rep. Yeom Tae-young Pushes for Legal Revision to Protect Jeonse Fraud Victims from Right of First Refusal Conflicts
Rep. Yeom Tae-young (Democratic Party, Suwon District) announced on the 19th at a plenary session of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee that he will push for legal revision to protect victims caught in conflicts over the right of first refusal that arise during the auction process of homes damaged by jeonse fraud.
Rep. Yeom's move comes from a recognition of reality that while the law was revised in May to strengthen victims' right of first refusal, unexpected side effects are occurring in multi-unit residential buildings with multiple victims as their interests collide.
In fact, at a multi-unit residential building in Hwaseong City, among four victims, two requested purchase by Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), while another victim hoped to win the bid directly, creating a conflict over the right of first refusal. Under the current system, priority is given to the victim wishing to purchase directly, which critics say could infringe on the interests of multiple victims.
Rep. Yeom stated, "When there are multiple victims and conflicts of interest arise among them, a proviso clause is needed that permits sales only to public housing providers to protect the interests of the majority of victims," and emphasized "support for all victims through public purchase rather than allowing individual victims to monopolize the premium serves the public interest better."
He also urged the establishment of legal grounds for 'specialized public rental housing' that combines residential space tailored to the characteristics of residents—such as youths, the elderly, and persons with disabilities—with non-residential services including care and self-reliance support. Specialized public rental housing involves social economy entities such as social enterprises and cooperatives in operations and is receiving positive evaluations in the field.
Rep. Yeom stated, "It aligns with the government's August 13 measures' emphasis on expanding the supply of non-apartment and purchase-lease rental housing, but it continues to be omitted whenever related consultations take place," adding "Since the field continues to request prompt processing, I hope that Committee Chair Yu Ui-dong and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will actively move forward to ensure swift passage of the bill."