[Yeouido Interview] Kim Byung-wook "Advanced Luxury City Will Emerge Through Old-Age Planning City Maintenance Act"

Interview with Democratic Party Rep. Kim Byung-wook
Advancing Legislation After Committee Transfer
"Will Be Able to Meet Changing Urban Resident Needs"

Kim Byung-wook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on the passage of the "Special Act on the Maintenance and Support of Aging Planned Cities (Special Act)" by saying, "It has given meaning by redesigning the urban spatial structure to prepare for the next 100 years as an advanced premium city."

The Special Act includes provisions for "easing safety inspections" and "increasing floor area ratio (the ratio of total building floor area to land area)" to promote the reconstruction of first-generation new towns and other areas. During the discussion process, the scope of applicable areas expanded to include 51 aging residential districts nationwide, covering 1.03 million households, including first-generation new towns in the Seoul metropolitan area such as Bundang in Seongnam, Ilsan, Jungdong, Sanbon, and Pyeongchon. Seoul’s Sanggye, Junggye, Mokdong, and Gaepo districts, as well as Hwajeong in Goyang, Yeongtong in Suwon, Yeonsu in Incheon, and Haeundae in Busan, were also included. The Special Act, which passed the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee on the 30th of last month, cleared the plenary session on the 8th and is scheduled to be implemented starting April next year.

Assemblyman Kim Byung-wook of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Kim, whose constituency is Bundang in Seongnam, fully committed to the passage of the Special Act. Known as a capital market expert, Kim changed his standing committee to the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee after overcoming fierce competition, all because of this law. Kim explained, "I have been active in legislative activities mainly in the capital market, but since my constituency is Bundang and I believe that the reconstruction of new towns can mark a milestone in the history of urban development in Korea, I moved to the committee and pushed for the law." However, passing the law was not easy. He said, "After breaking into the highly competitive Land Committee, I was the only member from a new town among the 29 members," and added, "I was the only one who supported the bill in the first, second, and third subcommittee meetings," and "I insisted that it must be passed by the end of the year, but members highlighted the special benefits of this law, making discussions difficult."

Kim said, "In the early stages of the discussion, I hit many walls, but when Hong Ik-pyo, the Democratic Party floor leader, declared that the bill would be passed by the end of the year, it actually became a turning point," and added, "Being evaluated through legislative activities is the most rewarding, and I believe this law will be one of the major laws that will be recognized as a successful achievement during my time as a member of the National Assembly."

Regarding the background of pushing the Special Act despite controversies over special privileges, Kim mentioned the changed role of cities compared to the past. He said, "The first thing I did after becoming a member of the National Assembly was to build an indoor gymnasium at an elementary school," and explained, "Thirty years ago, schools opened without considering building indoor gymnasiums, but now, due to students’ demands, after-school classes, and fine dust issues, indoor gymnasiums have become necessary."

He explained, "There must be infrastructure and facilities that meet the needs of residents according to the times, but existing cities did not have that," and added, "Urban design should include elderly-friendly facilities in preparation for an aging society, consideration for young people facing reduced opportunities, and autonomous vehicles." This opens the way to ‘reconstruct’ cities that reflect the demands of people living in them, looking ahead to the next 100 years.