Land Ministry Holds TF Meeting on New Town Transport Measures; Discusses Expanding Direct Permitting and Approval Targets

Metropolitan Area Transport Commission reviews progress with Seoul Regional Office, LH and other agencies

The Metropolitan Area Transport Commission of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said it will hold an inspection meeting on October 26 with relevant agencies, including the Seoul Regional Office of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), for the Task Force for the Rapid Implementation of New Town Transport Measures.

The consultative body was established to ensure the smooth implementation of transport measures for third-generation new towns. Since 2024, it has overseen projects expected to have a significant impact or face delays due to conflicts or prolonged permitting procedures. The meeting will review progress to date, focusing on projects for which the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport directly approves road project plans and handles permits.

The Metropolitan Transport Act was revised in October 2025, allowing the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to directly approve plans for road projects spanning multiple local governments, thereby shortening the permitting period. Eight projects are being managed under this approach. Five are related to third-generation new towns: construction of the road connecting to Dongnam-ro in Hanam Gyosan, expansion and improvement of Dongnam-ro in Hanam Gyosan, partial expansion of the intersection at the entrance to Seohanam Interchange in Hanam Gyosan, expansion of Beolmal-ro in Incheon Gyeyang, and construction of Gyeongmyeong-daero in Bucheon Daejang.

The ministry plans to review each project's current stage, including design and permitting, and its future schedule. It will also expedite consultations among relevant agencies during project implementation to shorten permitting periods as much as possible. The meeting will also discuss expanding the list of projects managed under the direct-approval approach. Two projects are under consideration: improvements to Gochon Interchange and the section passing through Sangya Village in Incheon Gyeyang, where residents are scheduled to begin moving in by the end of 2026.

Moon Seokjun, acting director general of the Metropolitan Area Transport Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Metropolitan Area Transport Commission, said, "We will closely monitor progress on each project to ensure that metropolitan transport facilities are completed on time to match the housing supply schedule for third-generation new towns. We will focus our efforts on making full use of available systems, including direct permitting and approval."

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