National Public Housing Districts Solidarity Council Strongly Opposes Government's 60,000-Unit Supply Plan

"Infringement of Original Residents' Property Rights...
Demanding Fair Compensation and Capital Gains Tax Relief"

Residents of public housing districts across the country have strongly opposed the government's plan to supply 60,000 public housing units in the Seoul metropolitan area.

The National Public Housing Districts Solidarity Council (Chairman Lim Chaegwan) issued a statement on the 30th, declaring, "The government's announcement is a unilateral administrative action that infringes upon the property rights of original residents and disregards proper compensation procedures," adding, "We are firmly opposed."

Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is holding a joint briefing on housing supply promotion at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on January 29, 2026. Photo by Jo Yongjun

In the measures announced on the 29th, the government designated new public housing districts, including Geumto 2 in Seongnam, Yeosu 2, and the Gwacheon racetrack site, and stated that it would shorten the project timeline by exempting preliminary feasibility studies and conducting procedures in parallel.

In its statement, the council presented four demands. First, it argued, "Carrying out district designation and compensation procedures simultaneously omits the resident opinion-gathering process guaranteed by the Constitution," and emphasized, "We cannot tolerate any project that excludes resident participation."

The council also raised concerns about the level of compensation. It stated, "In areas such as Seongnam and Gwacheon, land prices have already surged, yet the government insists on outdated compensation methods based on officially assessed land values," and demanded, "Establish a fair compensation system that immediately reflects actual transaction prices."

Particularly strong dissatisfaction was expressed regarding capital gains tax. The council said, "Imposing a capital gains tax of up to 45% on residents who are forced to give up their land to the state, regardless of their will, is a harsh double burden," and urged, "Immediately implement emergency measures to grant a 100% exemption from capital gains tax for land expropriated for public projects."

The council also called for relocation measures. "The government is fixated on the 2030 construction start date and is indifferent to the survival rights of original residents," it warned, adding, "Forcible evictions without proper relocation and livelihood measures could lead to a second Yongsan tragedy."

Chairman Lim Chaegwan stated, "We understand the intent behind the government's policy to expand housing supply and to ensure housing stability for the working class and the homeless, but we are outraged at the reality that original residents must give up land that has been protected by generations at a bargain price just to meet the government's housing supply targets." He continued, "The 96 district committees nationwide under the council and the one million original residents subject to expropriation will mobilize every available means to stage a strong united struggle until fair compensation and protection of property rights are achieved."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.