Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin criticized the government's late traffic impact assessment guidelines on October 27, questioning, "Last year it was acceptable, but this year it is not? What are the administrative standards of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport?"
Mayor Shin stated, "It is utterly incomprehensible to delay reconstruction schedules while claiming to expedite housing supply," adding that the ministry is engaging in contradictory administration that undermines the urgency of housing supply.
The controversy arose after the ministry issued a notice earlier this month indicating that a traffic impact assessment must be conducted before designating special maintenance zones in Seongnam and four other first-generation new towns in Gyeonggi Province.
Shin expressed concern that the assessment could take an additional three to four months, potentially jeopardizing the designation and announcement of 13,429 housing units planned for this year.
He pointed out that residents who have been preparing for the zone designation this year are now facing the risk of their efforts being in vain, and if the designation is postponed until next year, it could adversely affect residents preparing for subsequent reconstruction.
In particular, Mayor Shin questioned the consistency and accountability of the guidelines introduced at this late stage before the second special maintenance zone designation. He explained that during the promotion of the leading district last year, the designation occurred without a traffic impact assessment or prior notice.
Shin criticized the government for changing its guidelines without prior notice, stating, "Is it responsible administration to introduce a new interpretation just before the second special maintenance zone designation? The citizens are the ones suffering from these constantly changing government directives."
He also argued that the timing of the traffic impact assessment should be reconsidered. Citing the Administrative Basic Law and existing interpretations from the Ministry of Government Legislation, he believes that the assessment should be conducted before the approval of the project implementation plan, not at the stage of special maintenance zone designation.
Shin emphasized, "How can rushing a traffic impact assessment at a stage where specific construction plans and vehicle access routes have not been finalized help solve actual traffic issues? It is more rational to develop effective traffic measures when the project plans are more concrete."
He urged the ministry to immediately reassess the traffic impact assessment guidelines that are hindering the Bundang reconstruction and to present responsible measures to ensure that the designation of special maintenance zones this year and next year's maintenance volume proceed without disruption.
Shin has submitted a letter outlining these issues and demands to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Meanwhile, attention is focused on the ministry's follow-up measures to prevent delays in the Bundang reconstruction schedule and to protect residents.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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