House prices have continued to rise, but negotiations for supply have stalled.
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-deok and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon met again on the 26th of last month, just six days after their initial meeting on the 20th. They aimed to find land for housing in Seoul. Since their second meeting, 16 days have passed, and apartment prices in Seoul have risen for 83 consecutive weeks, poised to surpass the 85-week record set during the Moon Jae-in administration. The urgency for supply remains, yet negotiations have halted since the nomination of a new ministerial candidate.
Park Land Excluded from August 13 Measures, Revisited the Same Evening
Just a month ago, the Blue House was in a hurry. Although Yongsan Park was not included in the August 13 supply measures, that evening, Chief Economic Advisor Ha Joon-kyung appeared on CBS Radio's 'Park Jae-hong's One-on-One Show' and advocated for using park land for housing supply. The intention was to create spaces for young people to live, marry, and raise children. The Chief Advisor's strong push, even in the face of remaining disagreements with the Seoul city government, indicated a firm commitment.
Subsequently, a rationale emerged that building homes in part of the park could allow for the removal and purification of contaminated soil. The Ministry of Land also indicated it would consider the entire park beyond just the Yongsan Children's Garden. This demonstrated a willingness to find land for supply, even amid controversy over park usage.
The negotiations, prompted by the Blue House, also yielded alternatives. Following Camp Kim and surrounding public land, the Tancheon Water Recycling Center was mentioned, and easing regulations on reconstruction and redevelopment became part of the agenda. After the second meeting, Minister Kim stated, "There was never a requirement that it must be Yongsan Park." He emphasized the importance of providing homes for young people and newlyweds.
If that is the case, it is time to assess where homes can be built more quickly between the park and alternative sites, and what regulations need to be relaxed. Although a resolution is still far off, there are now materials to continue negotiations. Differing positions on Yongsan Park should not halt discussions on other supply options.
Yongsan is not a site where homes can be built immediately once land is secured. According to a report by Herald Economy based on Defense Ministry data, the case of Camp Kim shows that purification work took about five years due to interruptions from cultural heritage investigations. Each site must be evaluated for contamination levels, purification duration, and costs. If the land takes a long time to clean, other supply methods must also be explored. With so much work remaining, there is a pressing need to act swiftly.
Kim Yoon-deok is Still the Minister
While the government had previously shown reluctance to ease regulations proposed by the Seoul city government, at the Yongsan Park negotiation table, it appeared ready to concede significantly to secure supply land. However, after the nomination of Hong Ji-seon as the ministerial candidate on the 30th of last month, that urgency seemed to melt away. There has been no communication about when the next meeting will occur or what alternative sites have been considered. The urgency felt during their six-day turnaround has vanished.
Although a candidate has been nominated, the minister has not changed. The person negotiating with the Seoul city government remains Minister Kim Yoon-deok. If he has stated that supply is urgent, he should continue to meet directly to narrow differences and reach conclusions on points of agreement during his remaining term.
On the 3rd, after the candidate's nomination, Minister Kim also explained the direction of public institution relocations during a joint briefing at the Government Seoul Office. He stated that he would promote "speedy relocations." He remains a sitting minister who is still calling for speed in other policies. Has the urgent supply negotiation now become the responsibility of the next minister?
It may take time to determine supply land and adjust regulations. The longer it takes, the more follow-up negotiations should continue. The government met again just six days after confirming differences in positions during the first meeting. If they are now waiting for a ministerial change, it raises questions about what was so urgent at that time.
The Blue House Must Take Responsibility After the Personnel Change
The Blue House bears a heavier responsibility. It was the Blue House that pushed for park usage despite opposition from the Seoul city government and decided to replace the negotiating minister. If personnel changes were made, they should have ensured that ongoing supply negotiations did not break off. The necessity for supply emphasized by the Chief Advisor on air should not hinge on the fate of a single minister.
The government has asked the public to wait with announcements of housing supply. However, if discussions on land are blocked by a ministerial change, what can the public trust regarding the timelines for construction and occupancy that will be presented later? The credibility of supply promises comes not from the voice at the announcement but from the attitude taken in continuing the work afterward.
The Blue House must clarify whether it intends to maintain its policy on utilizing Yongsan Park. If it does, it should urge Minister Kim to continue negotiations with the Seoul city government. If the policy has changed, it should explain the reasons and pursue alternatives. The Seoul city government must also specify the scale and potential timeline for the supply of the alternatives it has proposed. In either case, waiting for the next minister to arrive is not an option.
Resuming negotiations will not result in homes appearing overnight. However, delaying negotiations today is also not acceptable. The supply timeline that the government promised to shorten will only extend from such meetings and decisions.
The young people and newlyweds that the Blue House cited as reasons for utilizing Yongsan Park are still searching for homes. As they wait for a new minister, lease expiration dates approach, and monthly rent continues to be deducted. Minister Kim Yoon-deok must return to the negotiation table. The circumstances that were deemed urgent have not changed.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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