"The Ministry Is My Beginning and End"... Minister Park Sangwoo Concludes 1 Year and 7 Months in Office

Farewell Address: "GTX, First-Generation New Towns, and REITs Reform?A Meaningful Journey Together"
"Passenger Plane Disaster and Bridge Collapse Left Indelible Scars... I Accepted My Responsibility"
From Passing the Civil Service Exam in 1983 to Serving in Key Ministry Posts, President of LH, and Minister
"The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Is My Lifelong Pride... Now, I Support You as a Senior Member"

"The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is both my beginning and my end, and it will always be a source of lifelong pride for me."

On July 29, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sangwoo delivered his farewell address at the ministry’s main auditorium in the Sejong Government Complex, saying, "After 11 years, I am once again saying goodbye. Parting with familiar places and beloved faces is never easy."

Minister Park Sangwoo of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport during the ministerial farewell ceremony. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The ceremony was, in every sense, a moment of farewell. After leaving the ministry in 2014, he returned as minister in 2023 and spent another 1 year and 7 months at the ministry. Minister Park recalled, "Meeting you all again, I found you just as I remembered?passionate and dedicated. The time I spent as minister, drawing the blueprint for national projects, was profoundly meaningful to me."

He mentioned major national policy initiatives such as the "opening of the GTX era," "redevelopment of the first-generation new towns," and "innovation in the mobility industry and REITs," stating, "I leave with pride, knowing I helped design the future of our national land and space."

However, there were shadows as deep as the achievements. Minister Park said, "The 12·29 passenger plane disaster, the collapse of the Shinansan Line, and the Sejong-Anseong Expressway bridge collapse have all left indelible scars on our hearts. Even in those moments, you remained at your posts, and I too was able to shoulder my responsibilities." He added, "The ministry stood firm even in unprecedented situations such as the declaration of martial law and the impeachment of the president."

As he departed, Minister Park left several requests. "Do not fear change. Break down barriers between one another. Strive to earn the trust of the people through your administration," he said. He emphasized, "It is in the details of policy that the public gains trust and public officials find pride."

Toward the end of his remarks, Minister Park stated, "I am now leaving the public service, where I have spent most of my life. However, the fact remains unchanged that each and every one of you is a key player in shaping the future of the ministry and of Korea." He concluded, "As a senior member who loves this ministry, I will always support you. Thank you, sincerely."

Born in Busan, Minister Park graduated from Korea University’s School of Law. He earned a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from George Washington University and a doctorate in Urban Planning from Gachon University. He entered public service in 1983 after passing the 27th Higher Civil Service Examination. He served as director of Housing Policy, director of Land Planning, director of Construction Policy, head of the Housing and Land Office, and head of the Planning and Coordination Office at the ministry before leaving public service in 2014. From 2016 to 2018, he served as president of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) during both the Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in administrations. In December 2023, he was appointed as Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. It was the first time in 10 years that a former ministry official was appointed as minister.