Kang Byung-won: "Yongsan, Rapid Land Development Possible Without Purchase or Relocation... Optimal Site for Public Housing"

Kang Byung-won, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th and delivering a general remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Kang Byung-won, a Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized on the 30th that "Yongsan is the optimal site where large-scale public housing can be built." Since South Korea and the United States agreed to return the 500,000 square meters of the Yongsan base by early 2020, this land should be utilized to increase housing supply.

At the Democratic Party Supreme Council meeting that day, Kang said, "Yongsan is land where a public housing new town can be rapidly developed through swift site development." He also mentioned that since it is state-owned land with no original residents, purchase and relocation are unnecessary. He stated, "Yongsan is also the best place to realize eco-friendly housing aimed at carbon neutrality, and it is meaningful in that a large amount of public housing can be stockpiled in the core area of Seoul." He argued, "If 20% of the 3 million square meters of the planned return site, which is 600,000 square meters, is utilized, with an average supply of 70 square meters per household and a floor area ratio increased up to 1000%, 80,000 households can be built."

Kang also strongly criticized the nomination of former lawmaker Kim Hyun-ah as the candidate for SH Corporation president. He said, "Mayor Oh is cowardly silent after nominating former lawmaker Kim Hyun-ah, who owns four houses and has deceived tens of millions of homeless citizens." Supreme Council Member Kim Young-bae also criticized, saying, "It is no different from a declaration of one-sided love for Gangnam that goes against the public's expectations and a declaration that encourages real estate speculation."