"Complete Preservation, Must Protect" Seoul City Firmly Opposes Greenbelt Release Movement

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has once again officially reaffirmed its opposition to the government and ruling party's move to lift restrictions on development in greenbelt areas.

On the 15th, Seoul issued a statement regarding the greenbelt, emphasizing, "Seoul will steadfastly protect the greenbelt, which is a future asset." The city stated, "The greenbelt is Seoul's 'last stronghold' preserved amid waves of development, and once damaged, restoration to its original state is impossible," adding, "Our firm and consistent position is to preserve it intact without any lifting of restrictions."

The city also stressed that its participation in the housing supply expansion task force (TF) and working planning group, which began that day, was on the premise of not discussing the lifting of greenbelt restrictions. Seoul explained, "In operating the housing supply expansion TF and working planning group to prepare supplementary measures for housing market stabilization, the city is participating within the scope of the '7.10 Housing Market Stabilization Supplementary Measures,' which excludes development-restricted areas," and added, "This position was clearly stated at today's meeting as well."

Seoul acknowledged, "We fully recognize the serious situation regarding housing supply and will actively cooperate with the central government in the process of preparing countermeasures." At the first working planning group meeting held that day, chaired by Park Seon-ho, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, discussions were held with officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Gyeonggi Province, and Incheon City on additional measures such as high-density urban development, public redevelopment and reconstruction, and the discovery of idle urban sites.