LH, "Listening to Local Residents' Opinions and Committing to Continuous Consultation"
Local Residents Raise "Suspicion of Collusion Between LH and Appraisal Agents"
(Photo right) Jo Gwang-han, Mayor of Namyangju City, attended a current issue meeting on the 25th for the resettlement of original residents in the 3rd phase new town. [Namyangju City]
[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] As the land compensation procedures are underway for the Namyangju Wangsuk District and Wangsuk 2 District included in the 3rd phase new towns, Namyangju Mayor Jo Gwang-han has called for "fair compensation for the resettlement of original residents."
Mayor Jo attended a meeting on the 3rd phase new towns held in Yeouido on the 25th with local governments, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and LH, criticizing LH and the government by saying, "Although compensation for Wangsuk New Town is imminent, the compensation officials are only giving theoretical responses, causing great anxiety among residents."
He added, "Institutional improvements reflecting the demands that have been continuously made for the resettlement of original residents and businesses must be implemented," urging a progressive and proactive attitude toward practical measures.
Mayor Jo also met with Shin Kyung-chul, LH Executive Director (Head of Smart City Headquarters), demanding "fair land compensation reflecting the rise in surrounding land prices," "sufficient supply of relocation sites for businesses to secure livelihoods of landowners of damaged land," and "establishment of measures for prior relocation and subsequent demolition."
He also included demands such as "affordable supply of relocation sites for businesses," "fair compensation for easement land (land with high-voltage power lines)," and "attachment of appraisal reports for lands where damaged land can be restored."
Mayor Jo particularly explained the legitimacy of the demands from residents and businesses due to the nationwide rapid rise in land prices, emphasizing repeatedly that "fair compensation must be made through appraisals reflecting the sharp increase in land prices in Wangsuk New Town and surrounding areas."
In response, Executive Director Shin said, "We will actively review the city's demands" and "listen carefully to local residents' opinions and continue consultations."
Kim Soo-sang, Director General of the Housing and Land Office at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, also stated regarding the demands from local governments, "We will review improvements for the resettlement of original residents," and "We will continue consultations with the National Assembly, local governments, and LH to ensure the 3rd phase new towns proceed smoothly as originally planned."
Wangsuk New Town is a 3rd phase new town with a scale of 11,047,000㎡ accommodating 160,000 people in Jinjeop-eup, Jingeon-eup, and Yangjeong-dong areas of Namyangju City. It is a public housing project creating Wangsuk District focused on jobs and economy and Wangsuk 2 District centered on culture and arts.
Currently, the district plans for the two areas have been completed, and procedures for land compensation are underway, but dissatisfaction and backlash from local residents regarding the land appraisal for the expropriated districts are growing.
In particular, among residents, distrust is spreading as the land appraisal corporation for Wangsuk New Town is known to be the same corporation that participated in the Seongnam Daejang-dong development.
Local residents and businesses raised their voices, saying, "There are continuous allegations of collusion between LH and the long-selected appraisal firms, and various problems are emerging. Rather than realizing fair land compensation, cases of abuse of power are frequently occurring."
Earlier in August, the Special Investigation Unit for Real Estate Speculation Crimes of the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency arrested former LH executive A (60) on charges including violation of the Attorney-at-Law Act.
A is accused of receiving 150 million KRW from 93 compensation negotiation targets for land, buildings, and facilities at 13 public housing project sites in the metropolitan area, including Namyangju Wangsuk District, Hanam Gyosan District, and Seongnam Geumto District, implemented by LH and Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation, from 2016 to early this year, in exchange for fabricating documents related to compensation negotiations.
The investigating police stated, "Almost all land development sites nationwide have brokers, including former LH employees and unqualified persons, who seek profits by acting as agents for compensation work."
Meanwhile, the heads of local governments for the 3rd phase new towns have agreed to continue holding meetings to jointly respond by demanding practical compensation and relocation measures for original residents.
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