The South Korean government has decided to exclude the greenbelt areas around the Gwacheon Racecourse and the Defense Security Command, as well as Seongnam's Geumto 2 and Yeosu 2 districts, from the total area eligible for greenbelt release in the metropolitan area. This move allows for the development of 16,100 housing units without reducing the existing allocation for local governments, potentially accelerating housing supply.
On August 18, during the first Uljin National Security Council meeting and the 36th Cabinet meeting, President Lee Jae-myung presided over the deliberation and approval of the 'Public Housing District Development Project Selection for Greenbelt Release Exception.'
This agenda item follows the government's announcement on January 29 regarding measures to expand and expedite urban housing supply. It allows for exceptions to the greenbelt release limits for public housing districts aimed at providing affordable housing.
The greenbelt release limits are a system that predefines the maximum area that can be released for development in metropolitan areas. With the exception applied, the government can pursue greenbelt releases for public housing districts without exhausting the previously allocated release area.
The targeted areas include 9,800 units planned for the Gwacheon Racecourse and Defense Security Command, 3,800 units in Seongnam's Geumto 2 district, and 2,500 units in Seongnam's Yeosu 2 district. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will proceed with subsequent procedures, including reviews by the Central Urban Planning Committee and consultations with local governments.
The government plans to develop the Gwacheon Racecourse and Defense Security Command site into a city that combines advanced industries and residential functions. The Geumto 2 district in Seongnam will be an eco-friendly residential area linked to the Pangyo Techno Valley, while the Yeosu 2 district will focus on parks and green spaces, with construction expected to begin in 2030.
However, the 6,800 units planned for the Taereung Country Club in Nowon District, Seoul, are not included in this exemption. Discussions on the greenbelt release for Taereung CC will proceed after completing the World Heritage Impact Assessment and reviews by the National Heritage Committee.
Additionally, the government approved three subordinate laws outlining the organization and operational framework of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, which is set to launch on October 2. These include the enforcement decree on the organization and operation of the agency, the organizational structure of the agency and its affiliated institutions, and the appointment regulations for investigators.
The Serious Crimes Investigation Agency will operate under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, with a total of 2,874 personnel, including 2,567 specialized investigators and 307 general public officials. It will handle seven major serious crimes, including corruption, economic offenses, defense business crimes, drug-related crimes, national security, cybercrime, and legal distortion.
Five joint investigation departments will also be established to address voice phishing, financial crimes, virtual asset crimes, drug offenses, and national financial crimes. These departments will conduct supplementary investigations at the request of prosecutors for cases initially investigated by other agencies, as well as handle crimes against vulnerable populations.
The head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency will be appointed by the president following recommendations from a candidate recommendation committee, the Minister of the Interior and Safety, and a National Assembly confirmation hearing. Individuals involved in cases can request a review of the appropriateness and legality of the agency's investigations. The appointment decree also includes procedures for investigator appointments, promotions, disciplinary actions, eligibility assessments, performance evaluations, and training.
The Cabinet also approved a revision to the parking law that temporarily exempts the requirement for additional parking spaces when converting vacant commercial and office spaces into officetels. Vehicles left in free public parking lots for more than a month will incur fines ranging from 300,000 to 1 million won, while blocking parking lot entrances will result in fines of 1 million to 5 million won.
Revisions to the data-based administrative law, requiring public institutions to assess the impact of artificial intelligence on citizens' fundamental rights, and the electronic government law, which outlines the types and security measures for mobile identification, were also passed.
Measures to prevent fraudulent purchases and sales of tickets for performances and sports events, along with penalties and reward criteria for reporting, were included in the revised performance law and the National Sports Promotion Act. The period for additional reporting and compensation applications for victims and families of the Jeju 4.3 incident was also extended in the revised Jeju 4.3 Special Act.
The government finalized the agricultural product price stabilization system, the operation standards for the grain supply management committee, and the basis for supporting slaughter and shipment incentives for Hanwoo farmers, as well as measures to support the Ulsan International Garden Expo.
The Cabinet also approved a revision to the lottery fund law to abolish the uniform legal distribution method and allocate funds based on project evaluations, along with expenditures of 680 million won for the operation of the intergovernmental punishment rationalization task force and 494.97 million won for the extended investigation period of the comprehensive special investigation.
Additionally, a social security agreement with Portugal and a co-production agreement with Italy for film projects were among the 1 legislative bill, 32 presidential decrees, and 5 general agenda items approved as originally proposed.
On August 18, during the first Uljin National Security Council meeting and the 36th Cabinet meeting, President Lee Jae-myung presided over the deliberation and approval of the 'Public Housing District Development Project Selection for Greenbelt Release Exception.'
This agenda item follows the government's announcement on January 29 regarding measures to expand and expedite urban housing supply. It allows for exceptions to the greenbelt release limits for public housing districts aimed at providing affordable housing.
The greenbelt release limits are a system that predefines the maximum area that can be released for development in metropolitan areas. With the exception applied, the government can pursue greenbelt releases for public housing districts without exhausting the previously allocated release area.
The targeted areas include 9,800 units planned for the Gwacheon Racecourse and Defense Security Command, 3,800 units in Seongnam's Geumto 2 district, and 2,500 units in Seongnam's Yeosu 2 district. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will proceed with subsequent procedures, including reviews by the Central Urban Planning Committee and consultations with local governments.
The government plans to develop the Gwacheon Racecourse and Defense Security Command site into a city that combines advanced industries and residential functions. The Geumto 2 district in Seongnam will be an eco-friendly residential area linked to the Pangyo Techno Valley, while the Yeosu 2 district will focus on parks and green spaces, with construction expected to begin in 2030.
However, the 6,800 units planned for the Taereung Country Club in Nowon District, Seoul, are not included in this exemption. Discussions on the greenbelt release for Taereung CC will proceed after completing the World Heritage Impact Assessment and reviews by the National Heritage Committee.
Additionally, the government approved three subordinate laws outlining the organization and operational framework of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, which is set to launch on October 2. These include the enforcement decree on the organization and operation of the agency, the organizational structure of the agency and its affiliated institutions, and the appointment regulations for investigators.
The Serious Crimes Investigation Agency will operate under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, with a total of 2,874 personnel, including 2,567 specialized investigators and 307 general public officials. It will handle seven major serious crimes, including corruption, economic offenses, defense business crimes, drug-related crimes, national security, cybercrime, and legal distortion.
Five joint investigation departments will also be established to address voice phishing, financial crimes, virtual asset crimes, drug offenses, and national financial crimes. These departments will conduct supplementary investigations at the request of prosecutors for cases initially investigated by other agencies, as well as handle crimes against vulnerable populations.
The head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency will be appointed by the president following recommendations from a candidate recommendation committee, the Minister of the Interior and Safety, and a National Assembly confirmation hearing. Individuals involved in cases can request a review of the appropriateness and legality of the agency's investigations. The appointment decree also includes procedures for investigator appointments, promotions, disciplinary actions, eligibility assessments, performance evaluations, and training.
The Cabinet also approved a revision to the parking law that temporarily exempts the requirement for additional parking spaces when converting vacant commercial and office spaces into officetels. Vehicles left in free public parking lots for more than a month will incur fines ranging from 300,000 to 1 million won, while blocking parking lot entrances will result in fines of 1 million to 5 million won.
Revisions to the data-based administrative law, requiring public institutions to assess the impact of artificial intelligence on citizens' fundamental rights, and the electronic government law, which outlines the types and security measures for mobile identification, were also passed.
Measures to prevent fraudulent purchases and sales of tickets for performances and sports events, along with penalties and reward criteria for reporting, were included in the revised performance law and the National Sports Promotion Act. The period for additional reporting and compensation applications for victims and families of the Jeju 4.3 incident was also extended in the revised Jeju 4.3 Special Act.
The government finalized the agricultural product price stabilization system, the operation standards for the grain supply management committee, and the basis for supporting slaughter and shipment incentives for Hanwoo farmers, as well as measures to support the Ulsan International Garden Expo.
The Cabinet also approved a revision to the lottery fund law to abolish the uniform legal distribution method and allocate funds based on project evaluations, along with expenditures of 680 million won for the operation of the intergovernmental punishment rationalization task force and 494.97 million won for the extended investigation period of the comprehensive special investigation.
Additionally, a social security agreement with Portugal and a co-production agreement with Italy for film projects were among the 1 legislative bill, 32 presidential decrees, and 5 general agenda items approved as originally proposed.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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