Blocking Jeonse Loans for Tenants, Undermining Housing Stability
Temporary Legalization Opportunity to Be Granted
The National Policy Planning Committee, which is responsible for outlining the policy roadmap of the Lee Jaemyung administration, has selected a measure to provide a temporary opportunity for the legalization of 'certain buildings'?structures that violate residential use regulations?as a fast-track initiative. On the 31st, Lee Chunseok, Head of the Economic Division 2 of the committee, announced at a briefing, "The committee, after holding a meeting with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, local governments, and experts, has selected the 'Management Plan for Buildings in Violation of Regulations' as a fast-track initiative."
He explained the rationale, stating, "Currently, there are about 150,000 buildings nationwide that violate regulations. These not only threaten public safety but also hinder tenants from obtaining jeonse loans, thereby undermining housing stability. In addition, lifelong compulsory fines are imposed on building owners, exacerbating economic difficulties for ordinary citizens."
The committee has decided to temporarily grant a legalization opportunity for certain buildings of specific uses and within a certain size that do not pose safety concerns and do not cause harm to neighboring residents. Lee Chunseok requested, "We call for close cooperation between the government and the National Assembly so that the 11 bills regarding the Regularization of Certain Buildings, which have already been submitted to the National Assembly, can be discussed and passed as soon as possible."
In addition, the committee plans to identify and ease excessive regulations?including standards for sunlight, height, and area?that have led to the proliferation of buildings in violation of regulations. The government was also advised to promptly improve related systems, such as the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act.
Park Honggeun, Head of the Planning Division, stated, "The temporary legalization of more than 150,000 small-scale buildings nationwide, specifically those below a certain size, will raise interest among stakeholders regarding the criteria that will be used for regularization in the future." Lee Junghun, a planning committee member of Economic Division 2, also remarked, "Although violation of current laws is an issue, there are also many innocent victims. I believe the legalization of buildings in violation is a practical alternative for the survival and safety of those suffering, and it is the responsibility of the state."
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