Construction Group "Greenbelt Should Be Released to Supply 2.7 Million Housing Units"

2022 Construction Day Event

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong is announcing the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's first housing supply plan on the 16th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The government announced that it will supply 2.7 million housing units over five years. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Korea Federation of Construction Associations (KFCA) on the 18th demanded the lifting of the greenbelt in urban peripheral areas, stating that "the government's plan to supply 2.7 million housing units for national housing stability must be carried out without setbacks."

Kim Sang-soo, chairman of KFCA, said in his commemorative speech at the '2022 Construction Day' held in the main auditorium on the 2nd floor of the Construction Hall in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, in the afternoon, "For the enhancement of public convenience and housing supply, bold greenbelt adjustments are necessary for areas that have lost their original function, in accordance with changes in conditions and the surrounding environment."

He emphasized, "The greenbelt has been selectively lifted over the past 50 years (since 1971) due to policy needs, but its area still reaches 3,800 square kilometers," adding, "Alongside the new government's 'urban complex projects,' the mountainous and land areas currently designated as greenbelt around urban peripheries should have regulations boldly reorganized to be utilized as eco-friendly housing supply land."

The commemorative ceremony was held under the theme of 'Uniting the Power of Construction Workers to Leap Forward Korea' amid the stagnant situation caused by the resurgence of COVID-19 and domestic and international economic crises, as a pledge for the construction industry to play a leading role in the recovery of the domestic economy.

Construction workers also demanded the creation of an environment where fairness and common sense prevail for the development of the domestic construction market.

Chairman Kim said, "Construction sites are facing serious difficulties such as rapid increases in raw material prices and labor shortages," and urged, "The government should prepare fundamental measures to ensure smooth supply and price stabilization of labor and materials at construction sites."

He particularly requested, "Due to the illegal collective actions of construction unions that have continued for several years, the normal operation of construction sites is becoming increasingly difficult," and called for "strict application of laws and principles."

Along with the greenbelt, construction workers also requested bold regulatory reforms.

Chairman Kim pointed out, "All past governments have raised regulatory reform as a banner but failed to achieve proper results," and said, "Regulations have been used as a means to preserve public officials' positions, and regulations have increased proportionally with the number of public officials." He added, "Please boldly reorganize regulations that constrain corporate activities so that freedom and creativity of the private sector can be realized at all construction sites."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who attended the ceremony, congratulated Construction Day and encouraged the efforts of those working in the construction industry both domestically and abroad. He also presented government awards to 114 construction workers who made significant contributions in various fields of the construction industry.

Among the government awardees, one received the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, two received the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, two received the Iron Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, two received the Stone Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, four received the Industrial Service Medal, seven received the Presidential Citation, and six received the Prime Minister's Citation, representing the construction workers.

About 700 people attended the event, including Prime Minister Han, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, lawmakers Lee Jong-bae, Min Hong-chul, Sung Il-jong, Kim Jung-jae, Choi In-ho, Kim Byung-wook, Kim Soo-heung, Heo Jong-sik, Seo Beom-su, government officials, members of the National Assembly, heads of construction organizations, heads of related institutions, families of government award recipients, CEOs and executives of major construction companies.