S. Korea land minister vows to clear obstacles slowing redevelopment, housing supply
In short
Land minister Hong Ji-seon told a National Assembly audit on Oct 7 that the government will actively remove factors slowing redevelopment and reconstruction projects and give incentives to sites that proceed quickly. He said a shortest-start model for public housing land would be built, an LH reform plan prepared, and a second public-institution relocation plan announced within the year. Newsis reported he instructed working-level consultations with the Seoul city government on housing supply.
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Land minister Hong Ji-seon told the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit on Oct 7 that the government will actively remove factors holding back urban supply such as redevelopment and reconstruction, give incentives to sites that proceed quickly and more actively mediate conflicts and disputes at project sites. He said the priority was to firmly lay the supply foundation so that housing needed in the Seoul metropolitan area can be supplied sufficiently and quickly. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
On supply, he said the ministry would build a shortest-start model for public housing land and secure new housing sites to expand public housing starts. On housing welfare, he said the housing stability plan — including supply of public housing and universal public rental housing — would be carried out without disruption and the housing support system improved, including expanding those eligible for housing benefit. He cited a jeonse fraud risk assessment service and a minimum guarantee scheme as ways to protect people from rental deposit fraud. [ 1 , 3 ]
He said the ministry would prepare a workable reform plan so that the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) can properly carry out its roles of housing supply and housing welfare. He also cited region-led growth, a corporate-type high-tech city linking corporate investment to regional growth, and said the second relocation plan for public institutions would be announced within the year after collecting views from regions, institutions and workers. [ 1 , 3 ]
On construction sites, the minister said he would not compromise on people's lives or workers' safety, that shoddy construction would be blocked, and that safety management across the entire dismantling process would be reorganised so risks are prevented in advance rather than handled after an accident. He said illegal subcontracting and delayed construction payments would be corrected through institutional improvement and inspections. [ 1 , 3 ]
On railways, he said the integration of Korail and SR would allow more seats to be offered, with lower fares and mileage among services to be strengthened. [ 1 ]
Newsis reported that the minister instructed working-level consultations with the Seoul metropolitan government on housing supply in order to resolve delays in projects. The Newsis article text carried a separate story about the launch of the Nuri rocket. [ 4 ]
Asia Economy reported that the first day of the land committee audit was scheduled to cover the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Administrative City Construction Agency and the Saemangeum Development Agency. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The remarks set out the land ministry's stated priorities for housing supply, housing welfare, construction safety and public-institution relocation, and indicate the changes it says it will pursue. Because they were delivered at a parliamentary audit, the plans are open to questioning by lawmakers. The documents do not name sites, amounts or dates beyond the relocation plan due within the year.
Key facts
- Land minister Hong Ji-seon spoke at the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit on Oct 7. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said the government will actively remove factors slowing urban redevelopment and reconstruction and give incentives to projects that move quickly. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said a shortest-start model would be built for public housing land and public housing starts expanded. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He said the housing stability plan, including supply of universal public rental housing, would proceed and housing support be widened. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He said an effective reform plan for the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) would be prepared. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He said the second public-institution relocation plan would be announced within the year after collecting views. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He said safety management for the entire dismantling process would be overhauled and illegal subcontracting and unpaid construction payments addressed. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He said Korail-SR integration would bring more seats and lower fares, with mileage services strengthened. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Land minister Hong Ji-seon made the remarks at the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit on Oct 7. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The minister said the government would actively resolve factors slowing redevelopment and reconstruction and give incentives to sites that proceed quickly. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said a shortest-start model for public housing land would be established to expand public housing starts. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He said the housing stability plan, including supply of universal public rental housing, would be pushed forward without disruption. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He said a workable reform plan for the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) would be drawn up. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He said the second public-institution relocation plan would be announced within the year after collecting views from regions, institutions and workers. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the ministry will hold working-level consultations with the Seoul metropolitan government on housing supply, as the Newsis headline states. Only the Newsis headline supports this, its article body carried a different story, and no other document mentions talks with the Seoul city government.
- Which specific incentives, housing sites or project timelines the minister was referring to. The documents describe the direction of policy but do not name sites, figures or dates other than the relocation plan due within the year.
- How lawmakers at the audit responded to the plans. The documents report the minister's remarks and the audit schedule but do not describe questions or criticism from committee members.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Land minister Hong Ji-seon makes the remarks at the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit. [ 1 ]
- Seoul Shinmun publishes its report on the minister's remarks. [ 2 ]
- Asia Economy publishes its report, noting the audit's first day covers the land ministry, the Administrative City Construction Agency and the Saemangeum Development Agency. [ 3 ]
- Newsis reports the minister instructed working-level consultations with the Seoul metropolitan government on housing supply to resolve project delays. [ 4 ]