French Embassy Asks for Exemption from Real Estate Tax
14 October, 2020
The French Embassy in Seoul has asked the Korean government for an exemption from increased property taxes on staff housing it owns in southern Seoul.
According to a diplomatic source on Monday, the French Embassy made the request last month for residential property in the affluent Seocho district in southern Seoul.
Unlike most foreign embassies in Korea, which rent homes for his or her staff, the French Embassy owns twelve staff residences.
The request came following the property tax for multiple-home owners almost doubled this season amid government efforts to tame property prices.
The Foreign Ministry passed the request to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which declined it.
A finance ministry staffer told the Chosun Ilbo, "We can not exempt the embassy from taxes unless both countries sign a separate treaty in line with the principle of reciprocity."
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