Minister Yoon-Duk Kim Visits Modular Housing Factory: "30% Faster Construction for Rapid Supply"

Engaging with the Industry to Strengthen the Foundation for Housing Supply

"Better Homes, Delivered Faster... Advancing Modular Technology"

Yoon-Duk Kim, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, visited a modular housing factory in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, on the 10th and announced plans to expand the use of modular construction methods in public housing supply, which can reduce construction time by 20–30% compared to traditional methods. To address the approximately 30% higher construction costs compared to conventional building, the ministry will also push for the enactment of a special law and the expansion of public sector orders.

Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is explaining industry support plans and institutional improvement directions at a meeting to revitalize the modular housing industry held on the 10th in Gunsan, Jeonbuk. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated that Minister Kim inspected the production site at the modular housing manufacturing plant in Gunsan and discussed strategies for industry development with representatives from the industry, Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH), and the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement.

The modular construction method involves pre-manufacturing key components such as walls, floors, and piping at a factory and then assembling them on-site. Unlike the traditional approach, where construction starts from the framework on-site, modular construction allows simultaneous factory manufacturing and site preparation, thereby reducing the overall construction period. There are also fewer high-altitude tasks, which lowers the risk of safety accidents.

At the Gunsan factory visited by Minister Kim, modular housing is being produced for the A4 block of Chopyeong District in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, to be supplied by LH. This pilot project, with a total budget of 86 billion won to build 381 housing units, aims to verify the feasibility of expanding domestic modular housing into high-rise and large-scale complexes.

Minister Kim stated, "Our construction industry is facing challenges due to an aging workforce, increasing reliance on foreign labor, and climate change. 'Modular technology,' which enables systematic process management, can be a key breakthrough for rapidly supplying high-quality housing without being affected by external factors."

He added, "We are carrying out an important project here at the Gunsan plant and with major companies to verify the potential for high-rise and large-scale modular housing in Korea. As this project can become a milestone for the domestic modular industry, I ask that it be carried out without setbacks to serve as a leading example for the market in the future."

Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (second from the left in the front row), is inspecting the production process using automated equipment at a modular housing manufacturing factory in Gunsan, Jeonbuk on the 10th. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

Despite its rapid construction and safety, modular housing currently incurs higher construction costs than conventional methods due to initial factory equipment investment and small order volumes. The industry has requested that construction standards and regulations be revised to suit the characteristics of modular construction, where housing components are pre-produced in factories and assembled on-site.

The ministry plans to secure production volume and lower construction costs by increasing public orders for modular public housing. It also aims to promote the enactment of the "Special Act on Supporting the Promotion of Modular Construction," which was proposed by 11 lawmakers in December of last year, to provide customized exceptions and incentives.

Minister Kim said, "We will provide strong support so that modular technology can become an important option for ensuring residential stability and driving innovation in the construction industry. The government will also listen to on-site feedback and swiftly reflect necessary policy support and system improvements to address obstacles."

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