"Construction of 10,000 Units at Taereung Golf Course a Bolt from the Blue for Nowon Residents"

The Yuksah Taereung Golf Course Site Included in the 'Seoul Metropolitan Area Housing Supply Expansion Plan' Covers a Total of 830,000㎡ for the Construction of 10,000 Apartment Units... Nowon District Mayor Oh Seung-rok Sends a Letter to the President... Key Proposals Include 'Low-Density Housing Supply,' 'Returning 50% of Taereung Golf Course Land to Nowon Residents,' 'Establishing Innovative Transportation Measures,' and 'Transforming the Yuksah Relocation Site into a Big Data and AI Industry Hub.'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced on the 4th that it sent a letter to the President containing residents' opinions addressing the issues of high-density development and groundbreaking transportation measures related to the government's plan to develop the Taereung Golf Course.

The government announced on the 4th that it will build 10,000 apartment units on the 830,000㎡ site of the Korea Military Academy's Taereung Golf Course. More than 50% of the supply will be long-term public rental housing, and less than 50% will be public sale units for the homeless, newlyweds, and youth.

Accordingly, District Mayor Oh Seung-rok stated in the letter, "Nowon-gu is a city formed about 30 years ago under the government's housing supply policy, with 80% of all housing consisting of apartments, making it the most densely populated area in Korea, causing serious problems such as worsening parking shortages and traffic congestion." He added, "The government's announcement to build another 10,000 apartment units without sufficient infrastructure development is like a bolt from the blue for the residents of Nowon-gu who have silently endured many inconveniences."

He continued, "While owning a home is a lifelong wish for newlyweds, and given the reality that a household living in Seoul would take over 12 years to save enough without spending a single penny to purchase an apartment, we fully understand the President's concern to stabilize real estate prices by increasing the supply of new housing." He then said, "After careful consideration, I would like to make a proposal to the President."

Looking at the specific details, first, low-density housing supply is proposed.

Compared to the Changneung New Town in Goyang City, which plans to build 38,000 housing units on an 8 million㎡ site, constructing 10,000 units on the 830,000㎡ Taereung Golf Course site would result in a very high-density housing complex, further intensifying Nowon-gu’s role as a bedroom community where 80% of housing is apartments, raising concerns.

Therefore, it was actively suggested that "the rental housing ratio for youth and newlyweds be lowered to below 30%, and the remainder be developed as a low-density, high-quality residential complex led by the private sector."

Additionally, it requested that a certain portion of the sale units be preferentially supplied to Nowon-gu residents so that they can live in comfortable new apartments without parking worries and maintain their self-esteem.

Second, 50% of the Taereung Golf Course site should be returned to Nowon residents.

“Although the Taereung Golf Course is located in Nowon-gu, it has been an area difficult for residents to access,” the letter stated, requesting that 50% of the site developed from the golf course be turned into a park similar to Ilsan’s Lake Park or Bundang’s Central Park, providing a great opportunity for Nowon residents to enjoy.

Third, groundbreaking transportation measures must be established first.

The area around Taereung Golf Course is already suffering from traffic congestion. With developments in nearby Namyangju Byeollae District, Dasan New Town, and Guri Galmae District, Hwarangdae Station, Taereung Entrance Intersection, and the Northern Arterial Road are habitual traffic congestion zones throughout the day.

In this situation, the addition of a large-scale apartment complex would worsen traffic congestion, adversely affecting Nowon residents. Therefore, "a wide-area transportation improvement plan that innovatively establishes and expands the road network around Taereung Golf Course is necessary," the letter said.

It also stated, "Detailed transportation measures such as connecting a subway branch line from Hwarangdae Station on Subway Line 6 to Taereung Golf Course, operating trams, and extending the Dongbuk Line and Myeonmok Line should be prepared. Early construction of the GTX-C line, which can travel from Nowon to Gangnam within 8 minutes, extension of the KTX from Suseo to Uijeongbu, and expediting the undergrounding project of the Eastern Arterial Road, which allows travel from Nowon to Gangnam within 13 minutes, should also be pursued."

Fourth, if the Korea Military Academy relocates, the area should be developed as an advanced base for big data and AI industries.

Although the relocation of the Korea Military Academy was not included in this plan, many residents are concerned that apartments will eventually be built on the Korea Military Academy site as well.

Therefore, the position is that "if the relocation of the Korea Military Academy is inevitable, this area should host industries with high self-sufficiency functions that bring workplaces close to residences rather than apartment construction."

This is because establishing a convergence ecosystem for big data, AI core technologies, and other fields in preparation for the post-COVID-19 era can enhance the city's competitiveness.

District Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, "We will closely cooperate with the government to ensure that the development of the Taereung Golf Course site does not hinder balanced development between Gangnam and Gangbuk, taking into full account transportation, green environment infrastructure, and ensuring that various benefits are returned to the residents."