Democratic Party of Korea Seoul metropolitan council members called for bold measures to resolve the housing crisis for young people. They recognize that extraordinary steps are needed to keep the "2030" generation from leaving and to win over public sentiment in Seoul.
The Democratic Party Seoul chapter held a meeting on measures for the youth housing crunch at the National Assembly on the morning of the 20th. Present were Seoul-area lawmakers, including Seoul chapter Chairperson Kim Young-bae.
Oh Ki-hyeong, a lawmaker representing Dobong-gu B, said, "There is additional tax revenue. We should boldly put in around 20 trillion won and actively use it to supply youth housing," and added, "We can supply dwellings centered on the public sector, or use the funds to support loan interest. I propose we do it on a bold scale."
Kim Young-bae, a lawmaker representing Seongbuk-gu A, said, "Our principle is to supply as quickly as possible at an affordable price," adding, "Among the Yongsan Park site, we should consider supplying on parts that have already lost their green space function, such as officers' quarters, military apartments, and the former Defense Acquisition Program Administration site. As state-owned land, the Yongsan site is the most certain, key means of supply whose volume the government can adjust as soon as construction begins."
Kim emphasized that ways to use such sites for youth dwellings should be discussed.
Kim Dong-a, a lawmaker representing Seodaemun-gu A, also said, "In the private sector, supply is coming only through redevelopment and reconstruction, so in reality there is a severe shortage of housing space that young people can afford," adding, "Instead of trickling out so-called youth dwellings in batches of 60 or 80 units, we need groundbreaking supply measures that create youth housing towns at key hubs in specific areas so that college students and young people can live there."
Kim Nam-geun, a lawmaker representing Seongbuk-gu B, also criticized, "Mayor Oh Se-hoon talks only about redevelopment and reconstruction, but with general sale prices at least 1 billion or 2 billion won, how can that be called a youth housing policy?" adding, "Transit-area youth dwellings have been stalled during Mayor Oh Se-hoon's four years."