Demand to Accelerate Policy for 'Master Plan to be Established Within 2024'
Residents of First-Phase New Towns Like Ilsan, Bundang, and Sanbon Gather to Form Solidarity
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] Residents angered by the master plan for the reconstruction of the 1st generation new towns are fiercely opposing it, holding protest rallies. Following President Yoon Suk-yeol, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong announced at a press briefing that the master plan for the 1st generation new towns would be launched immediately, but residents are still opposing, saying, "Show action rather than words."
The Bundang Reconstruction Union (Bunjaeyeon), composed of reconstruction promotion complexes in Bundang, requested at a meeting on the 22nd with the People Power Party delegation of Seongnam City Council and members of the Urban Construction Committee that the master plan for the redevelopment of the 1st generation new towns be completed by the first half of next year. They asked Seongnam City and Seongnam City Council to step up to expedite the establishment of the redevelopment master plan, which the government announced it would promote within 2024.
Bunjaeyeon urged Seongnam City to swiftly push forward with an independent reconstruction maintenance plan separate from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Bunjaeyeon stated, "It is urgent to change Seongnam City's basic urban and residential environment maintenance plan to reflect the rapid promotion of redevelopment projects in the Bundang area, and a plan for exclusive relocation complexes before redevelopment must also be prepared."
Choi Woo-sik, president of Bunjaeyeon, said, "No one knows how long it will take even if discussions on the reconstruction of the 1st generation new towns start now," and suggested to the city council, "Therefore, please work to effectively abolish safety inspections by exempting safety inspections for apartments over 30 years old."
Residents from five 1st generation new towns, including Ilsan, Sanbon, and Pyeongchon, who are part of reconstruction promotion unions including Bunjaeyeon, formed the "Citizen Solidarity to Urge Fulfillment of the 1st Generation New Town Reconstruction Pledge" on the 23rd. Just one day after forming the solidarity, more than 1,000 people flocked to the KakaoTalk open chat room. Early next month, they plan to deliver residents' signatures to the Presidential Office and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to urge the government for swift redevelopment.
On the 22nd, about 100 residents belonging to the Bundang Prototype Complex Reconstruction Promotion Preparation Committee gathered at Seohyeon Children's Park in Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, participating in a rally urging the establishment of the first-generation new town redevelopment master plan. (Photo by Bundang Prototype Complex Reconstruction Promotion Preparation Committee)
In Bundang, residents gathered and held a separate rally to urge redevelopment. The Bundang Prototype Complex Reconstruction Promotion Preparation Committee held a rally on the 22nd from 7 p.m. for 30 minutes at Seohyeon Children's Park in Seohyeon-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, with about 100 residents attending to urge the government for swift redevelopment of the 1st generation new towns. They were residents of four prototype complexes in Bundang-gu: Shimbun Hanyang, Woosung, Hyundai, and Samsung Hanshin, holding placards reading "Speed up the special law" and "Keep the presidential election pledge."
Lee Jong-seok, chairman of the Bundang Prototype Complex Reconstruction Promotion Preparation Committee, said, "Residents are greatly disappointed as the master plan, which should have already been established, has been postponed to 2024," and argued, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport controlling the master plan and schedule for the reconstruction of the 1st generation new towns ultimately restricts the independent promotion by local governments." He added, "Now it is time for the government to show action, not just promises."
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