The party and government held a policy consultation to discuss expanding the supply of dwellings in downtown areas of the Seoul metropolitan area in connection with an imminent announcement of housing supply measures. Plans were presented to speed up the supply of high-demand downtown dwellings and to increase effectiveness by using public assets such as aging public office buildings.
The Democratic Party of Korea and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held a "party-government consultation on measures to expand and expedite downtown dwelling supply" at the National Assembly members' office building on the morning of the 29th. Attendees included Democratic Party of Korea Policy Committee Chair Han Jeong-ae, National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee Chair Maeng Sung-kyu, Senior Deputy Floor Leader for Operations Cheon Jun-ho, Minister Kim Yun-duk of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and First Vice Minister Kim Ei-tak.
Maeng Sung-kyu, a Democratic Party lawmaker who chairs the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, said, "At a time when public demand for stabilizing home prices is higher than ever, it is time to push policies with speed," adding, "In today's (the 29th) meeting, we will discuss ways to make supply in downtown areas of the Seoul metropolitan area faster and more effective."
He added, "The key to dwelling supply is not only expanding volume but also where and how quickly we build," emphasizing, "We must actively use public assets, such as aging public office buildings, to improve locational competitiveness, and provide institutional support so projects are not delayed."
Chair Han Jeong-ae said, "Although the government announced a plan last September 7 to supply 1.35 million homes in the Seoul metropolitan area and has made every effort, including identifying new housing sites through the ministers' meeting, it is unfortunate that the public remains skeptical about government-led supply," adding, "Starting with this announcement, the government should continue to identify new projects and give the public confidence that supply will proceed steadily."
Minister Kim Yun-duk said, "At the pan-government level, multiple agencies have narrowed their differences and done their best through the 'ministers' meeting on promoting dwelling supply.' This announcement is the first result of those efforts," adding, "The supply volume does not end with this announcement; after consultations and reviews, we will continue to announce additional measures. This time we focused on volume, but we will also identify tasks for institutional improvements going forward."