“I will do my best to ensure that the work is fully handed over to my successor as Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. In particular, I will complete the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) innovation plan and the issue of noise between floors within my remaining term.”
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong is holding a meeting at the government Sejong Government Complex press room on the 4th. [Photo by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport]
On the afternoon of the 4th, Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, held a press conference at the Government Sejong Complex and expressed his position on his future schedule regarding the appointment of his successor announced that day. Minister Won’s remaining term is expected to be about 20 days, considering the personnel verification process for the successor candidate, former LH President Park Sang-woo.
Minister Won explained, “I reported to the President on four major issues of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: LH innovation, noise between floors, railway undergrounding, and the establishment and extension of the metropolitan area express railroad (GTX). This is to ensure that these projects proceed smoothly with continuity.”
He continued, “We are preparing to wrap up the LH innovation and noise between floors issues within the remaining term,” emphasizing, “In particular, the LH innovation issue has been framed broadly, and after consultations with the government and LH, we plan to announce it as early as next week.”
He added, “Regarding GTX, in addition to the extensions of lines A, B, and C, we are preparing to announce plans for the establishment of lines D, E, and F as early as the beginning of next year. The railway undergrounding issue also has related bills submitted, and a basic plan must be established next year. This issue will be carried forward by my successor with policy continuity.”
Minister Won mentioned that the most heartbreaking issue during his term was the jeonse fraud problem and said the government is continuously exploring various support measures. He stated, “There are still blind spots for victims of multi-family housing damage and trust fraud. We need to keep reviewing ways to provide relief.”
However, he drew a line by saying, “It is beyond national consensus for the state to simply return unpaid deposits.”
Regarding the housing price issue, he evaluated that “prices are being adjusted within a manageable range without artificial price suppression or excessive stimulus,” and concerning housing supply disruptions caused by soaring construction costs and project financing (PF) tightening, he claimed, “Since October, permits have been increasing, so extreme situations are being resolved.”
Regarding the bill to abolish the ‘mandatory residence requirement’ that has not passed in the National Assembly, Minister Won requested cooperation from the opposition party. He said, “While there is agreement that speculative issues of selling immediately without residing are problematic, there are also real demanders who suffer losses due to the mandatory residence requirement. I ask for participation in legislation that can protect real demanders by supplementing some legal measures.”
In particular, Minister Won took a sharp stance against the opposition’s political attacks on the Seoul?Yangpyeong Expressway issue. He emphasized, “It is impossible to proceed with the project while political disputes continue. I will hand over the work to my successor so that it can be carried out consistently.”
Meanwhile, when asked about his political plans after retirement, he said nothing has been decided yet and that he will consult with his party. Minister Won said, “Nothing has been decided yet, but I will lead by example regardless of any sacrifices and difficulties.”
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