[Journalist's Notebook] The Illusion of Owning a House

As the real estate policies of Lee Jaemyung's government are gradually materializing, the market is once again stirring. It's a fierce game of wits among those who want to sell houses at high prices or buy them cheaply.

What does a house mean to a Korean? It is a shelter for the family, a foundation of the community, an asset, and a standard for measuring social status. Owning a house allows one to settle in a place without the fear of being evicted and live stably.

But was it ever truly a space for living in? When buying a house, we overlay it with the attachment of "mine" and call it "home ownership." It has long been an object of purchase.

Owning a house involves costs on a different level than buying a piece of clothing to wear. Legally owning a house requires a significant amount of money, including down payment, interim payment, balance, brokerage fees, acquisition tax, and registration costs. If a loan is involved, one must repay the principal and interest monthly. Even while owning, there are fixed expenses such as property tax, maintenance fees, insurance premiums, and various repair costs.

Even when renting out, there are numerous concerns to address. Taxes are also paid when selling or passing it on to family. Knowing that one would be constantly engulfed in financial worries might lead to regrets about buying in the first place. It becomes confusing whether I own the house or the house owns me.

On the other hand, the phrase "living in a rented house" carries a subtle sense of shame, whether voluntary or not. Those who have not yet acquired their own home and live in rented accommodations are said to have climbed the "housing ladder."

At the top of that ladder is "my home," especially an "apartment" with a famous brand name in a location recognized by all. Premium and high-end apartments leading the trend, newly built, and splendidly revived redevelopment complexes are major objects of envy.

During the period of living, there is competition over market prices. The pride of residents rises and falls with the trends of house prices. As the use value changes according to the life cycle, one may unexpectedly face situations where they need to dispose of the house. In this process, phrases like "the meaning of a house" or "the philosophy of space" quickly lose their place.

Buying a house is still an individual choice. However, the intention and actions to divide the world's hierarchy based on home ownership become seeds of social conflict. Furthermore, the market structure that pressures people to believe it will be more difficult and strenuous without ownership, thus spreading anxiety to buy quickly, deepens the chasm of conflict. On this ladder of ownership, burdened with everyone's anxiety, we want to ask if we are truly happy.


en1302@fnnews.com