Kim Yoon-duk: "I Want to Build More Homes Even If It Means Lifting Green Belt Restrictions"

"Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Considers Partial Lifting of Green Belt Restrictions"

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-duk expressed a strong commitment to expanding urban housing supply in Seoul, even if it means lifting regulations on green belt zones.

At the National Real Estate Policy Forum held on July 27 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul, Minister Kim stated, "Since becoming Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, I have developed a strong desire to build homes, even if it means lifting green belt restrictions."

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Koo Yoon-chul, and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-duk are receiving questions from participants at the National Forum on Real Estate Policy held on the 27th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Dongju Yoon

He continued, "There have been opinions against transforming green belt zones into residential land, and I agree with that in principle. However, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is actively considering lifting some green belt restrictions if necessary to enable housing supply."

Earlier that day at the forum, Kim Hyo-sun, Chief Real Estate Specialist at KB Kookmin Bank, stated, "Seoul represents the competitiveness of South Korea," adding, "The idea of unlocking green belt areas in Seoul to create housing land does not seem desirable."

Assemblyman Kim also said, "In line with changes in social structures, I hope the government will look into transforming long-standing designated-use areas into mixed-use zones and, in the mid-to-long term, focus efforts on enhancing Seoul's competitiveness and securing infrastructure such as jobs in regional areas."

Previously, the government decided that when green belt zones are temporarily lifted to establish public housing districts, those zones will not be counted toward the total amount of green belt areas eligible for release. This measure aims to prevent project delays in sites included in the "1.29 Supply Measures," such as TaeNeung Country Club.

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