Gimpo Mayor Lee Gihyeong: "Transportation and Jobs Measures Needed Before Supplying 37,000 Homes"

Expresses regret over announcement of Gimpo Ara Public Housing District
Sets out four demands to government
Calls for extensions of Seoul Subway Lines 5 and 9 and expansion of metropolitan transit network
Urges compensation for fiscal losses and protection of existing residents' rights

Gimpo Mayor Lee Gihyeong called on the government to first draw up metropolitan transportation measures and plans to secure self-sufficient functions in response to its announcement of candidate sites for the Gimpo Ara Public Housing District. He said, "Unilateral housing supply without thorough measures will turn Gimpo into a consumption-oriented bedroom community and only push the quality of life of its citizens to the brink."

Gimpo Mayor Lee Gihyeong speaks at an emergency press conference on the 29th, outlining the city’s position and strong demands following the announcement of the candidate site for the Gimpo Ara Public Housing District.

At an emergency press conference on October 29, Mayor Lee said, "I deeply regret that the government pushed ahead with the announcement unilaterally despite Gimpo City's opposition."

The candidate site for the Gimpo Ara Public Housing District announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport that day covers about 3.65 million square meters in Gochon-eup and Sau-dong. The plan calls for the supply of 37,000 homes, accounting for about 48.2% of the total supply planned across the six new public housing candidate sites in the Seoul metropolitan area announced that day. The project is scheduled to proceed from 2027 to 2035 under the Special Act on Public Housing.

Mayor Lee presented four key demands to the government: full acceptance of metropolitan transportation measures; measures to address fiscal losses resulting from an increase in public rental housing; securing meaningful self-sufficiency; and protecting the rights and interests of existing residents while drawing up a reasonable district plan.

First, he stressed the principle of "transportation infrastructure first, residents later." To prevent delays to the existing Seoul Subway Line 5 extension project to Gimpo, he said the costs required for the new district should be reviewed separately. He also called for the Seoul Subway Line 9 extension to and direct connection with Gimpo to be included in the metropolitan transportation improvement plan, and for the project contribution to be secured.

He also called for adjustments to the location of the vehicle depot for the Western Metropolitan Express Railway and the construction of a new station to strengthen the self-sufficiency of the Gimpo Environmental Regeneration Innovation Complex. He said the project period should be shortened by streamlining administrative procedures, including waiving the preliminary feasibility study, and that 20% to 25% of the total project cost should be invested in the metropolitan transportation improvement plan.

For roads, he proposed building Hyangsang Bridge and Yangchon Bridge, constructing a connecting road to Yeongsajeong Interchange, and widening the section of Olympic-daero between Gaehwa Interchange and Dangsan Station. His demands also included building and guaranteeing operation of bus rapid transit (BRT) lanes between Gimpo Hangang-ro and Olympic-daero, and placing the Gyeyang-Ganghwa Expressway entirely underground.

He also raised concerns about the fiscal burden resulting from the expansion of public rental housing. The city estimated that local tax losses from public rental housing would amount to about 111.5 billion won, while annual property tax revenue would fall by 18.1 billion won.

Accordingly, the city called for its views to be reflected when setting the share of each housing type in the district and for public rental housing to be supplied at the statutory minimum ratio. It also said effective measures must be 마련ed to offset fiscal losses, including having the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) waive applications for local tax reductions on rental housing it owns in the new district.

Mayor Lee also emphasized the need to secure self-sufficient functions to expand employment. The city said regional priorities, including designation of a Peace Economy Special Zone and a national industrial complex, should be linked to the district plan, and that a "UN AI Hub," university research facilities, businesses, and public institutions should be brought to the area.

Gimpo Mayor Lee Gihyeong held an emergency press conference on the 29th following the announcement of the candidate site for the Gimpo Ara public housing district, stating the city's position and strong demands.

For existing residents, the city called for reasonable compensation assessments and tailored relocation measures. It also proposed incorporating the Hangang riverside near Yeongsajeong, which was excluded from the candidate site, into the district plan and developing it as a waterfront space for public use.

Mayor Lee said, "The demands made by Gimpo City are the minimum necessary to protect citizens' right to survive." He added, "I hope the government will make a forward-looking change in line with the governing philosophy of the Lee Jae-myung administration, which holds that 'special sacrifices must be met with special compensation.'"

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced six new public housing candidate sites in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Gimpo, that day. The Gimpo Ara Public Housing District announced that day is located in Gochon-eup and Sau-dong, Gimpo, and is expected to provide 37,000 homes across about 3.65 million square meters. This accounts for about 48.2% of the total additional supply announced that day. The project is scheduled to run from 2027 to 2035.

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