[2022 National Audit] Won Hee-ryong "Regulatory Improvements for Urban Housing Supply... Expansion of Rental Housing as Well"

Opening Remarks at the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee's Audit Session

Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

On the 6th, Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, "We will rationally improve regulations to ensure that high-quality housing that meets the demands of the public can be quickly supplied within urban areas, and we will expand the supply of affordable public rental housing."

Minister Won made these remarks during his opening statement at the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit held that day.

While reporting on the major tasks of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, he emphasized first and foremost, "We will devote all efforts to ensuring housing stability for the people."

Minister Won said, "We are supporting multifaceted policies to reduce the housing cost burden for low-income and vulnerable groups, protect tenants, and stabilize the rental market," adding, "We will also promote institutional improvements to resolve housing vulnerable to disasters."

Additionally, Minister Won highlighted balanced national development and the expansion of transportation convenience as key tasks.

He stated, "We will create new growth hubs to attract companies, talent, and capital to local areas, while upgrading existing growth hubs such as Happy City, Saemangeum, and Innovation Cities."

He continued, "Through region-specific tailored growth policies, we will also foster small and medium-sized cities and underdeveloped areas in the provinces." Furthermore, he said that transportation infrastructure such as railroads, roads, and airports will be densely expanded to strengthen regional competitiveness.

Minister Won also emphasized improving transportation convenience for the public by alleviating commuting inconveniences and reducing transportation costs.

He first said, "We will expand metropolitan transportation infrastructure such as GTX and underground expressways."

He added, "By resolving the late-night taxi shortage, we will restore the public's 'right to go home,' and to ensure safe and comfortable commutes, we will also address the issue of standing passengers on metropolitan buses."

Moreover, he said, "We will continue to seek policies to reduce public transportation costs for low-income people through expanding the Altteul Transportation Card and introducing integrated season tickets."

To secure new economic growth engines, he also announced support for regulatory innovation and technological development related to future mobility such as autonomous vehicles, urban air mobility (UAM), and drones. Customized traffic safety measures will also be implemented for vulnerable sectors such as pedestrians, freight vehicles, and two-wheelers.

Finally, Minister Won emphasized that he will promote innovation in public institutions and regulatory reform.

He said, "We will reform unreasonable practices in affiliated public institutions and improve the quality of public services," and added, "We will continuously communicate with the field to ensure that regulations do not hinder private creativity and vitality, and we will completely innovate unnecessary regulations."