May 2022 – The government launches a temporary capital‑gains‑tax exemption for owners of multiple homes to boost the real‑estate market, a relief that is renewed annually until 2025 [13][14].

Jan 22, 2026 – President Lee posts on X that “extending the heavy capital‑gains tax exemption for multiple‑home owners is not under consideration,” stressing the exemption’s May 2022 origin and the 20‑point (two homes) and 30‑point (three homes) surcharges in speculative zones [16].

Jan 24, 2026 – Budget‑minister nominee Lee Hye‑hoon denies fraudulent housing‑application claims before parliament while the administration confirms the higher capital‑gains tax will take effect on May 9 and prepares new real‑estate taxes [15].

Jan 25, 2026 – Lee tweets that “the exemption will expire on May 9 as originally set in Feb 2025” and rules out any extension, calling the break an “unfair benefit from an abnormality” and announcing a cabinet meeting to discuss a possible pre‑May‑9 grace period [14].

Jan 26, 2026 – Lee announces the decision not to extend the multi‑home tax exemption, framing it as “normalization” and warning that unchecked speculation could repeat Japan’s “lost three decades” of stagnation [13].

Jan 27, 2026 – At a cabinet meeting, Lee vows to curb excess capital inflows into housing, warns of a bubble like Japan’s 1990s crisis, and reiterates that the exemption ends on May 9 with rates of 6‑45 % plus surcharges for multiple homes [12].

Feb 1, 2026 – Lee reaffirms he will end the capital‑gains‑tax pause on May 9, tells opponents not to “unfairly outsmart” the government, and declares “no government can beat the market, but no market can beat the government either” [11].

Feb 2, 2026 – Lee rebuts opposition criticism of his housing‑supply plan on X, challenges supporters of speculation, and highlights a luxury unit listed for urgent sale after the tax shift, illustrating market impact [9].

Feb 2, 2026 – Cheong Wa Dae announces the exemption’s May 9 termination, with spokesperson Kang Yu‑jung stressing the deadline and noting that tax revision is a “last resort,” while capital‑gains rates remain 6‑45 % with 20‑/30‑point surcharges [8].

Feb 3, 2026 – Lee posts that he will stop real‑estate speculation “by any means,” calls the tax exemption’s end “utterly absurd,” and cites a survey showing real‑estate investment falling to second place behind stocks [6].

Feb 3, 2026 – Finance Minister Koo Yun‑cheol briefs the cabinet that the exemption ends May 9, proposes grace periods of up to three months for Gangnam/Yongsan and six months for new speculative zones, and urges owners to act now as the “last opportunity” [7].

Feb 3, 2026 – Lee reiterates his tax crackdown, links soaring home prices to unfair resource distribution, notes KOSPI volatility, and pledges expanded AI‑driven entrepreneurship support [5].

Feb 4, 2026 – Lee stresses that people hurt by rising home prices deserve priority, says the cabinet will weigh a three‑ to six‑month grace period for pre‑May sales, and warns post‑May taxes could reach 75 % with surcharges [3].

Feb 4, 2026 – Newspapers report Lee offers a six‑month “final escape route” for multi‑home owners to complete deals by May 9, labels the housing crisis “cancerous,” and notes widening asset gaps and AI‑rocket “space war” headlines [4].

Feb 5, 2026 – Lee warns multi‑home owners that “moving up to a higher‑value property? It will not be in your interest unless it is for residential use,” and uses X to criticize prosecutors over the Wirye case, reinforcing his anti‑speculation stance [2].

Feb 5, 2026 – Finance Minister Koo announces supplementary measures to ease the tax change will be unveiled next week, promises policies to protect renters and landlords, and mentions possible three‑month grace periods for hot districts and six‑month periods for new zones [1].

Mid‑Feb 2026 (planned) – The government prepares to release additional supplementary measures aimed at reducing the burden on multiple‑home owners and renters, as indicated by Koo’s Feb 5 statement [1].

May 9, 2026 (future) – The capital‑gains‑tax exemption for multiple‑home owners expires, triggering rates that can climb to 75 % with surcharges in speculative zones, a deadline repeatedly emphasized by Lee and Koo throughout February [1][3][7].