Nominee for Land Minister Hong Jisun Says She Will "Consider" Proposal to Visit Yongsan Park Site

"Public Debate Is Essential"

Hong Jisun, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, stated that she would consider the proposal to visit the unopened, returned land near Yongsan Park with members of both the ruling and opposition parties in order to explore the possibility of supplying housing in the area.

During the confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on the 16th, Assemblyman Yoon Jonggun of the Democratic Party of Korea asked, "If you become minister, would you visit the unopened, returned land in Yongsan Park together with lawmakers from both parties and housing experts?" In response, Hong replied, "I will consider it as suggested."

Hong Jiseon, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is drinking water at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Yoon Dongju

The questioning began with the possibility of supplying housing in the Yongsan Park area. Assemblyman Yoon stated, "Some are distorting the issue as if the entire Yongsan Park will be removed and replaced with housing," and added, "Except for Parcel 7 in the center of the park, the remaining outer areas already border existing residential neighborhoods." He went on to say, "If housing is supplied at certain edges of the park that are adjacent to existing residential areas, it will not pose any issues for the park’s landscape."

He further argued that by preserving the central zone of the park and utilizing the outer land adjacent to residential neighborhoods, it would be possible to supply approximately 20,000 units with an exclusive area of 84 square meters and 28,000 units with an exclusive area of 55 square meters.

Assemblyman Yoon asked the nominee, "While the figures are not precise, isn't this an area worth serious consideration?" Hong Jisun responded, "No concrete development plans have been established yet," emphasizing procedural order and principles rather than providing a direct answer.

Hong further stated, "While the core spaces of the park should be preserved, if there are ways to contribute to housing stability, we will proceed through public discussion and legislative processes."

Yoon Jonggun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning by citing data around Yongsan Park during the confirmation hearing of Hong Jiseon, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, on the 16th. Screenshot from National Assembly Broadcasting.

Assemblyman Yoon mentioned Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon's plan to develop the Tancheon area, arguing, "The construction of Tancheon will begin in 2035 and finish in 2042, which is far too long." He continued, "Even if negotiations on Tancheon proceed separately, the option of utilizing the Yongsan returned land should be kept open and considered."

He also requested that Hong Jisun "coordinate well with the Seoul Metropolitan Government," to which Hong responded, "Coordination with the city government and forming a national consensus must come first," and added, "Understood."

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