Won Hee-ryong: "Phase 1 New Town Redevelopment Plan, Collecting and Consulting Gyeonggi-do Opinions"

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong is attending the full meeting of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee held at the National Assembly on the 5th, giving a proposal explanation. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated regarding the plan to promote the redevelopment of the first-generation new towns, "We will carefully collect and consult the opinions of Gyeonggi Province."

Minister Won made this remark on the 5th during the 2021 fiscal year settlement review by the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee in response to a related inquiry from Kim Seon-gyo, a member of the People Power Party.

Minister Won said, "(Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province) made a pledge during the local elections, and since he likely has plans not only for the first-generation new towns but also for other cities, we will carefully collect and consult the opinions of Gyeonggi Province."

Previously, Minister Won and Governor Kim had a dispute after the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced in the '8·16 Measures' that it would establish a master plan for the first-generation new towns by 2024.

Governor Kim said on the 19th of last month regarding the Ministry's supply plan announcement, "This is effectively a broken presidential election pledge," and added, "We will do what we can at the Gyeonggi Province level independently from the government."

In response, Minister Won retorted on the 23rd of last month, "The governor of Gyeonggi Province has no authority over new town redevelopment," and said, "He is causing confusion with ignorant and irresponsible political remarks. Please refrain from such politics."

Regarding the follow-up inquiry on this political dispute, Minister Won stated, "We will cooperate where cooperation is needed."

Minister Won said, "Since (Governor Kim) has no legal authority or obligation, if he has proposals that he has gathered and studied on his own, we will review them as part of collecting residents' opinions."

He added, "Because the five new towns are also part of Gyeonggi Province, I believe a cooperative system is necessary regardless of legal authority."

Minister Won said, "As announced in the 8·16 Measures, we will establish a master plan for the redevelopment of the first-generation new towns by 2024 and simultaneously promote the enactment of a special law for the first-generation new towns to lay the foundation for supply."