Housing 'Supply Shortage + Noise Between Floors' Solutions by Won Hee-ryong

'2.5 Million+α' Housing Supply Plan to Be Announced Around the 10th
Includes 'Floor Area Ratio Incentives' for Noise Reduction Between Floors

Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is responding to questions from lawmakers at the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly on the 1st.

Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, will unveil next week his "clever solution" to simultaneously address the chronic issues of supply shortage and inter-floor noise in the housing market.

On the 2nd, Minister Won announced that he will reveal detailed plans for the "2.5 million housing units + α" supply measures around the 10th of this month, and stated that there may be some adjustments in the quantity based on unsold inventory situations in certain areas.

At the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee briefing held at the National Assembly the previous day, Minister Won said, "The 2.5 million housing units + α refers to the government's supply capacity," adding, "Regarding short- and long-term supply plans and the composition between the metropolitan area and non-metropolitan areas, it is natural that fine adjustments will be needed while monitoring changing environments, economic conditions, and supply-demand situations."

In response to a question from Kang Dae-sik of the People Power Party asking, "What do you think was the biggest mistake in real estate policy by the previous government?" Minister Won replied, "In terms of content, supply did not match demand at all, and the supply measures that were introduced came too late," emphasizing once again the importance of swift supply measures.

Furthermore, the upcoming measures are expected to include plans to reduce inter-floor noise. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is considering increasing the floor slab thickness of new apartments beyond the current standard (210 mm or more) and granting a floor area ratio (FAR) increase of about 5% as an incentive.

Minister Won previously mentioned at a meeting with startups and youth on the 28th of last month, "Inter-floor noise should be resolved by construction companies, and since the floor thickness will increase, we can ease regulations by providing FAR incentives so that for a 30-story building, one additional floor can be added." By constructing the floor slab at 300 mm instead of the existing 210 mm and applying a 5% FAR incentive, a 30-story apartment can secure the height to add one more floor.

According to the construction industry, increasing the floor slab thickness from 210 mm to 300 mm reduces inter-floor noise from the current minimum performance standard of 50 dB to about 47 dB. A noise level of 50 dB corresponds to the sound made when a child jumps off a sofa, and the industry evaluates that even a 3 dB reduction results in a noticeable decrease in perceived noise.

For existing apartments, the government is considering providing subsidies in the form of grants for floor construction work aimed at reducing inter-floor noise. Minister Won stated, "We are considering supporting about 3 million KRW per household from a fund when various construction works to reduce inter-floor noise, such as inserting soft balls or using mats, are carried out."

Separately from this measure, Minister Won reiterated the need for a major overhaul of the Lease Protection Act (including the right to request contract renewal and the rent ceiling system), stating, "Fundamental improvements are necessary." He said, "The current Lease Protection Act has weaknesses in protecting tenants and imposes excessive sanctions on landlords." Regarding the recent surge in jeonse fraud, he added, "We have established a dedicated investigation unit within the National Police Agency and are conducting intensive crackdowns for six months, with additional measures to be announced in September."