Evolution Spiral Ahn Cheol-soo: "Reconstruction of 1st Generation New Towns Will Be Implemented Immediately Once the New Government Takes Office"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the presidential transition committee, stated that the redevelopment projects for the 1st generation new towns "can be implemented immediately once the new government takes office." This comes as an effort by Chairman Ahn to directly clarify confusion that arose after remarks within the transition committee suggested that the 1st generation new town pledges had been postponed as mid- to long-term tasks.

On the morning of the 27th, while heading to the transition committee office in Tongui-dong, Seoul, Chairman Ahn told reporters, "The official position of the transition committee is to proceed smoothly with redevelopment projects such as reconstruction in the 1st generation new towns."

He explained, "Both the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly have already proposed special legislation regarding the 1st generation new towns, and there are no disagreements. Once the new government takes office, the relevant bills will be passed as soon as possible and implementation can begin immediately."

Previously, the transition committee had stated that the revitalization measures for the 1st generation new town redevelopment projects, which were part of President-elect Yoon Seok-youl’s pledges, were considered "mid- to long-term tasks." After residents of the 1st generation new towns such as Bundang strongly protested, claiming that President-elect Yoon was not keeping his promises, public clarifications were made first by Shim Gyo-eon, head of the real estate task force (TF), and then by Chairman Ahn himself on the following day.

In particular, Chairman Ahn paid close attention to reducing confusion by detailing aspects such as parking lot remodeling and solving traffic issues. He emphasized, "Looking at the current bill, the most important points are increasing floor area ratio and simplifying safety inspections. Besides these, we are also considering parking lot remodeling, providing move-in incentives to existing tenants, and addressing additional traffic problems caused by the increase in the number of households."

There is also analysis that this immediate clarification was made with the June local elections in mind. Gyeonggi Province, where the 1st generation new towns are located, is considered one of the fiercest battlegrounds in the local elections. Bundang, perceived as a stronghold of the People Power Party, will hold a by-election simultaneously as Kim Eun-hye, a People Power Party lawmaker, runs as a candidate for governor of Gyeonggi Province.