Angry Haejeyeondae: "Cancel the New Town and Lift Urban Regeneration"

"New Town Development Marginalizes Inner-City Declining Areas"
Residents of 11 Places Including Changsin and Sungin Participate
On the 19th, Delivered Anti-Urban Regeneration Petition to Mayor Oh Se-hoon

The Urban Regeneration Abolition and Redevelopment Solidarity is holding a press conference on the 15th in front of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul, demanding the suspension of the 3rd New Town development and the termination of urban regeneration. (Photo by Ryu Taemin)

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] Residents of Seoul's urban regeneration areas have staged a protest demanding the "termination of urban regeneration projects" and calling for the development of deteriorated downtown areas.

The Urban Regeneration Abolition and Redevelopment Solidarity (Urban Regeneration Termination Solidarity) held a press conference on the 15th in front of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, urging the suspension of the 3rd New Town projects and the abolition of urban regeneration. Residents from a total of 11 areas participated in the press conference, including Changsin-dong, Sungin-dong, Garibong 5 District, Sangdo 4-dong, Dongja-dong, Seogye-dong, Sillim 4 District, Guro 1 District, Daechung Village in Irwon-dong, Jangwi 11 District, and Taepyeong 2 and 4-dong in Seongnam.

The Urban Regeneration Termination Solidarity opposed the government's new town policy, stating, "Why develop new towns at astronomical costs when the infrastructure in downtown areas is already well established?" They further appealed that residents of deteriorated areas in downtown Seoul have been deprived of their right to enjoy safe and pleasant living environments due to being trapped in the 'urban regeneration projects.'

Kang Dae-seon, Chairperson of the Changsin-dong Public Redevelopment Preparation Committee, claimed, "The designation of new town developments and urban regeneration areas is a project thoroughly carried out based on political calculations," adding, "Unilateral project decisions were made with the consent of only dozens of residents and urban regeneration project stakeholders, ignoring the opinions of thousands of residents."

The Termination Solidarity demanded the suspension of projects until the investigation into speculation related to the 3rd New Towns is completed and requested approval for the termination of urban regeneration areas according to residents' demands. They also called for the identification and strict punishment of those involved in corruption related to the selection of cities and urban regeneration areas.

The solidarity group plans to deliver signatures opposing urban regeneration and materials detailing the realities of urban regeneration projects to Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on the 19th. The number of people who signed against urban regeneration in the relevant areas reaches 10,000.