"'Yoon Government's 2.5 Million Housing + α' Plan Solution? Could Be 'PC Gongbeop'"

"Need to Deliberate Concrete Methods on How to Supply 2.5 Million Housing Units"

On the 23rd, the OSC Research Group held a symposium titled "OSC! New Paradigm of Innovation in Housing Supply" at the COEX Conference Room in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] There is a claim that the key solution to the government's core housing policy, the '2.5 million units + α (plus alpha)' supply plan, is the 'PC (Precast Concrete) method.'

On the 23rd, the OSC Research Group held the 'OSC Symposium Roundtable' at the COEX Conference Room in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Participants included ▲ Professor Kim Hansu of Sejong University ▲ Yuk Insu, Director of Housing Construction Supply Division, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport ▲ Professor Jeong Ran of Dankook University ▲ Professor Yoo Jeongho of Kwangwoon University ▲ Director Kang Taekyung of Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology ▲ CEO Jeong Jangwon of Dongseo PCC ▲ Executive Director Oh Wonkyu of GS Construction.

Professor Yoo Jeongho said, "Recently, the government has been implementing the 2.5 million units supply plan. However, we need to first consider the specific methods of how and with what technology these 2.5 million units will be supplied," adding, "There are many factors to consider to implement the policy innovatively. First, the construction period must be considered. Supplying housing within a set deadline is ultimately a race against time."

He continued, "Generally, when we supply apartments, the construction period is calculated to be around 30 months. We need to think about whether there are technical ways to shorten this period further," and said, "Especially in a situation where a five-day workweek is becoming standard, we need to consider ways to shorten the construction period without compromising safety or quality."

He also said, "From what I hear on site, more than 50% of the workers are foreign laborers barely filling the workforce. Skill levels are declining, and aging is becoming serious. We also need to think about how to secure workers to build 2.5 million units," emphasizing, "PC and other OSC methods are the answers to these problems." The PC method is part of OSC (Off-Site Construction), a construction method where concrete structures such as columns, beams, and slabs are first manufactured in a factory and then transported to the construction site for assembly.

In response, Yuk Insu, Director of Housing Construction Supply Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "It is still premature to consider PC as the main solution for '2.5 million units + α,' but we believe OSC can be activated and help open a good market."

Professor Kim Hansu, who chaired the session, also said, "I believe that existing and new technologies can coexist in the process of supplying 2.5 million units." He added, "To expand the base of OSC, several conditions must be met: ▲ consumer choice ▲ supplier readiness ▲ technological advancement ▲ cooperation among related parties. These conditions will determine the future activation of OSC."