Seoul City Councilor Kim Ki-duk: "The Rental Housing Supply Plan in Sangam Area Must Be Reconsidered"

Sangam Area Has 47% Rental Housing, Half Are Rentals... Equity with Other Areas Must Be Considered... Sangam Should Become a Cutting-Edge Future City Aligned with Seoul's 4th Industrial DMC Plan

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim Ki-deok, Vice Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (Democratic Party of Korea·Mapo 4), argued on the 4th that the government's plan to build and supply 6,200 rental housing units in the Sangam area, including the Western Driver's License Test Center, should be reconsidered.

On the 4th via Facebook and in a press release on the 5th, Councilor Kim emphasized, "The Sangam district must be reborn as a cutting-edge future city that aligns with the DMC functions originally planned by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and promised to the residents."

He also stated, "It is desirable to develop the Western Driver's License Test Center in Sangam-dong as a public-purpose facility serving as a new strategic hub to benefit the local residents."

In particular, Councilor Kim said, "The rental housing ratio in Sangam-dong has reached 47%," adding, "Residents are strongly opposing the phenomenon where rental housing supply plans are concentrated only in Sangam-dong, alongside issues of fairness with other areas."

He further warned, "The area is experiencing severe traffic congestion, and in the case of Sangam Middle School, parents are voicing complaints due to extreme overcrowding in classes, appealing for countermeasures. If the residential ratio increases further, inconveniences and dissatisfaction among local residents regarding education and other issues will inevitably worsen."

Meanwhile, Councilor Kim Ki-deok pointed out, "Especially at this time when the mayor is incapacitated and there are concerns about administrative gaps, everyone is bewildered by the sudden announcement of the plan to supply 6,200 housing units without prior consultation or discussion with local residents, Mapo District Office, and elected officials, which is procedurally problematic."

However, Councilor Kim clarified, "I understand the government's policy to solve the housing shortage and do not oppose the rental housing construction policy," emphasizing, "It is necessary to establish a discussion body and procedures to wisely resolve issues through consultation with local residents, the district office, and resident representatives."

Meanwhile, regarding the report by a certain media outlet on the 27th of last month about the 'plan to supply 5,000 units on the Sangam DMC Landmark site,' Councilor Kim confirmed on the 28th through a work consultation with the responsible department heads that the report was inaccurate.

Regarding the situation at that time, Councilor Kim said, "The Landmark Tower site has a total area of 37,262.3㎡ with a designated usage ratio of over 50%, and the related department stated that in future project promotion, the existing designated usage ratio will be observed while collecting and reflecting expert opinions on detailed matters," reiterating, "It is appropriate that the Landmark Tower site be developed as a public-purpose facility as originally planned or as desired by the local residents."