Minister of Land to Meet Seoul Mayor Next Week: "Maximum Cooperation on Housing Supply"

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Holds Press Briefing

Plans to Meet with Mayor Oh Sehoon on August 20

Minister Kim: "Greenbelt Discussion Not Essential"

Reviewing Housing Supply Plans for Entire Yongsan Park

Sites for 73,000 Units to Be Announced in October

Yoonduk Kim, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, has decided to meet with Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon on August 20 after Seoul City expressed its opposition to housing supply measures such as the lifting of development restriction zones (greenbelts). The Ministry and Seoul City will seek to narrow their differences through discussions. However, Minister Kim also suggested that even if reaching an agreement proves difficult, the government may still push ahead with its housing supply plan.

At a press conference with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport press corps held at the Sejong Government Complex on the morning of the 14th, Minister Kim stated, “The principle that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Seoul City must work together on the issue of real estate supply remains unchanged.”

Yoon-duk Kim, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is having a meeting with the Ministry of Land press corps at the government Sejong complex on the 14th. Provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

Minister Kim added, “Since both the Ministry and Seoul City have their own perspectives, we need to make efforts to close the gap between our views,” and expressed his intent to talk with Mayor Oh by saying, “I believe it will be beneficial for both sides to discuss how to exercise and adjust the respective authorities they each hold.”

However, he clarified that reaching an agreement with Seoul City is not an essential prerequisite for advancing housing supply. In response to a question on whether Seoul City’s consent is required for lifting greenbelt restrictions, Minister Kim explained, “From a legal and institutional perspective, there are no restrictions regarding public housing districts,” and added, “From the Ministry’s standpoint, we will cooperate with Seoul City as much as possible on matters pertaining to the exercise of authority.”

Under current law, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport can delegate the authority to lift greenbelt restrictions for areas of 300,000 square meters or less to city and provincial governors. However, when drafting urban management plans related to national policies, the Minister can lift greenbelts directly, regardless of the area.

A view of the Suseo Vehicle Depot area in Gangnam District, Seoul, which is being discussed as a potential site for the next public housing district. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Minister Kim also suggested that the government does not intend to abandon its supply plans even if opposition from Seoul City continues. He emphasized, “At the government level, we must not allow a situation where nothing can be accomplished just because Seoul City objects, thereby displaying incompetence.”

The Ministry also expressed its intent to take necessary measures if supply delays are caused by conflicts with local governments or landowners. Minister Kim stated, “For negotiations aimed solely at avoiding losses, I intend to exercise the authority allowed by laws and regulations,” and added, “We will not make the mistake of missing the right timing to exercise that authority.”

Regarding the idea of utilizing the Yongsan Children's Garden site for housing supply, Minister Kim explained that deliberations would be conducted for the entire Yongsan Park. He said, “Yongsan Children's Garden is a narrow concept,” and explained, “We are considering the entire Yongsan Park at this point.” However, he noted that providing housing within Yongsan Park would require further discussions with the National Assembly and other relevant parties. On the Yongsan International Business District, where the government has yet to reach an agreement with Seoul City on supply scale, he added, “More discussions are still needed.”

Panoramic view of the Yongsan Park area. It is one of the locations where the government and Seoul city show differing opinions regarding housing supply. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding the 73,000 new public housing units announced in the government’s latest August 13 plan, Minister Kim reiterated that talks with local governments have been finalized. He said, “The 73,000 units have only administrative and practical procedures left,” and added, “We expect to announce the sites in early October.”

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport also plans to release additional candidate sites for public housing supply, beyond the 73,000 units, as soon as consultations with local governments are completed. Minister Kim stated, “Some of the volume has already reached 80–90% agreement with local governments,” and added, “We will continue to announce sites as soon as talks with local authorities are finalized.”

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