Chairperson Hwang Sun-hee of the Gwacheon City Council strongly criticized the government on August 21, stating, "Do not make Gwacheon a scapegoat to cover up repeated failures in real estate policy."
Hwang urged the immediate withdrawal of the irresponsible "supply at all costs" plan that jeopardizes Gwacheon's future. She called for a comprehensive review and retraction of the government's plan to supply 9,800 housing units at the Gwacheon horse racing park and the National Defense Intelligence Command site.
She expressed concern that the government is pushing forward with the project without adequately considering citizen feedback and the city's capacity to accommodate such a supply.
In light of Gwacheon City winning a recent appeal regarding the change of use for a religious facility by the Shincheonji Church, Hwang described the ruling as a significant acknowledgment of public safety and quality of life by the judiciary.
This case arose from a lawsuit challenging the city's refusal to permit the change of use for the religious facility, considering the impact on residents' living conditions, educational environment, and community conflicts.
Hwang emphasized that this ruling reflects the solidarity of citizens and the city's response, asserting that the principle of prioritizing public safety and welfare should also apply to the government's unilateral housing supply policies.
She specifically questioned the feasibility of relocating the horse racing park, citing the Korea Racing Authority's own assessment that the relocation would take a long time, and that no specific plans or alternative sites have been confirmed, making the proposed start of construction in 2029 unrealistic.
"Setting a construction start date without confirming the relocation site is like putting up a roof before erecting the pillars," Hwang stated, insisting that the necessary time, costs, alternative sites, and economic viability for the relocation must be verified first.
She also called for verification of urban infrastructure, noting that adding 9,800 units near the horse racing park could significantly burden transportation, schools, and water and sewage systems, especially with existing development projects in the Gwacheon and Juam districts.
Hwang demanded that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport transparently disclose the basis for the 9,800 housing unit supply and the results of assessments regarding the capacity of transportation, education, environment, and water and sewage infrastructure.
She also urged local lawmaker Lee So-young to clarify her position on the application of exceptions to the total amount of development restriction zones, which directly impacts Gwacheon's green spaces and urban environment.
Hwang stated, "The local lawmaker must clearly express whether she supports or opposes the application of exceptions to the total amount of development restrictions, as this issue cannot be ignored given the emphasis on environmental and climate concerns."
Additionally, she proposed that Lee facilitate a public forum involving the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Gwacheon City, and the Gwacheon City Council to verify the validity and issues surrounding the 9,800 housing supply plan.
Hwang indicated that if the government insists on proceeding with the plan, the city and council would escalate their response. "Gwacheon has cooperated with various development projects under national policy, but if unilateral sacrifices are demanded without citizen consent, the Gwacheon City Council will consider completely refusing administrative cooperation for future government development projects," she warned.
Hwang concluded, "We must not sacrifice Gwacheon's green spaces, urban capacity, and citizens' living environment solely for the sake of housing supply. The government should move away from imposing predetermined supply quantities and instead engage in reasonable verification and consultation that reflects the opinions of citizens and local governments."
Previously, the city council adopted a resolution calling for the complete withdrawal of the government's plan to supply 9,800 housing units at the horse racing park and the National Defense Intelligence Command site.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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