On the 14th, Minister nominee Hong Ji-seon of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said about supplying dwellings by using Yongsan Park, "We will protect the core areas of the Yongsan Park site, but I will look into whether there is potential to supply dwellings focused on ancillary areas."
Hong said in a written response submitted to the National Assembly's Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee ahead of the confirmation hearing on the 16th, "As I understand it, the government is not saying it will develop the entire Yongsan Park, but is at the stage of reviewing which parts of the overall site are suitable for dwelling construction."
Hong added, "I understand the Yongsan Park site has high potential to swiftly provide a significant amount of residential space for future generations, including young people," and said, "I think it is necessary to review ways for the park's core functions, such as securing green space, to coexist with residential space for future generations." She continued, "If I take office as Minister, I plan to proceed after going through a sufficient public discussion process and building public consensus."
In particular, on the central government and the Seoul city government showing differences and clashing over supplying dwellings by using parks and green spaces such as Yongsan Park, Hong said the discussion would be deepened. Hong said, "I understand that both the central government and the Seoul city government share the goal of swiftly supplying a sufficient volume of dwellings," and added, "I will review what has been discussed with the Seoul city government so far and make the direction of consultations more concrete."
Hong also said regarding a plan to further lift development-restricted zones (greenbelts) to expand dwelling supply in the Seoul metropolitan area, "For the sake of stabilizing housing for the public, if necessary, I think it is necessary to selectively lift parts of development-restricted zones that have already been damaged and have low conservation value, and supply dwellings there."