On October 14, President Lee Jae-myung emphasized that he has never demanded the selling of multiple housing units, responding firmly to accusations that he changed his stance on the issue. In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he stated, "I've never directly ordered anyone to sell their properties nor do I have intentions to do so," arguing that the distinction between recommending and forcing is subjective and varies between the speaker and the listener. He criticized the media for suggesting a sudden shift in his position without appreciating the nuances of his statements. Earlier that day, President Lee had expressed that while he aims for stabilization of the housing market, he does not intend to impose an obligation to sell homes. He described that while properties should primarily serve as residences rather than investment or speculative assets, it is individual choice how to handle them, with the warning that poor decisions may lead to losses. This led ruling party members to describe his remarks as tricks or ridiculous excuses aimed at the public. President Lee further criticized certain media outlets for allegedly colluding with real estate speculation forces instead of holding the government accountable. He argued that for decades, these media practices have skewed public policy on real estate, resulting in extreme wealth concentration and contributing to housing issues that pressurize young people and families, ultimately leading to a declining birthrate crisis. He insisted that such societal conditions necessitate reform in the approach to housing policy to restore hope for the younger generation and future growth in South Korea.