Kim Itak Inaugurated as New First Vice Minister of Land Ministry: "Restoring Public Trust with Greater Humility"

Graduate of the 36th Civil Service Exam, Housing Policy Expert with Extensive Experience in Key Roles
"An Adequate Supply of Quality Housing Is Essential"
Strict Response to Market Disruptions Such as Jeonse Fraud
"Balanced Growth Is a Centennial National Agenda"
Creation of Advanced Industrial Complexes and Expansion of Metropolitan Transportation Networks
Emphasis on Eradicating Unsafe Practices and Strengthening Prevention of Construction Accidents
National Land Strategies for the AI Era Also Highlighted

The position of First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which had been vacant for 37 days, has been filled with the inauguration of Vice Minister Kim Itak. He succeeds former Vice Minister Lee Sangkyung, who resigned following controversial remarks on real estate and the issue of gap investment (sales with jeonse tenants), thus ending the vacancy in a key role overseeing overall housing, land, and construction policy.

Kim Itak, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, who took office on the 2nd. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

At his inauguration ceremony on December 2, Vice Minister Kim said, "Returning to my hometown office after several years and meeting you all again fills me with excitement, but also a heavy sense of responsibility," adding, "I will serve with greater humility so that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport can regain the public's trust." He emphasized, "We are facing various crises, including instability in the real estate market, regional imbalance, and construction site accidents, and I will reflect on whether our solutions have truly met public expectations."

The first issue mentioned in his inaugural address was housing stability. Vice Minister Kim stated, "We must swiftly implement follow-up measures to the September 7 supply plan so that the public can trust that there will be an adequate supply of quality housing in desired locations," and added, "We will strengthen the housing safety net so that young people, newlyweds, and vulnerable groups can live with peace of mind." Regarding market disruptions such as jeonse fraud, he said, "We will respond strictly and focus on establishing preventive measures in advance."

Balanced national development was also presented as a core task. He said, "Balanced growth is a centennial national agenda," and pledged, "We will create job and innovation hubs such as advanced national industrial complexes and urban convergence zones, expand metropolitan transportation networks, and reorganize the country into five major and three special ultra-wide economic and living zones." He also promised to "accelerate the completion of Sejong City, the development of innovation cities, and the second phase of public institution relocations."

He also addressed construction safety. Vice Minister Kim stated, "Tragic accidents at construction sites continue to occur," and emphasized, "Since prevention is key to safety, we will thoroughly inspect sites and actively pursue improvements." He further stressed, "We must use this opportunity to completely eradicate practices that undermine safety, such as illegal subcontracting."

He also identified national land strategies for the era of artificial intelligence (AI) as a priority. He said, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is the lead agency for AI policy implementation," and declared, "We will lay the foundation for innovative growth by building advanced land and urban environments, including AI cities, digital land information, and autonomous driving."

Vice Minister Kim was born in 1969 in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. He graduated from Kwangsung High School in Seoul and the Department of Economics at Seoul National University, and entered public service through the 36th civil service examination. He is regarded as an expert in housing policy, having planned and implemented key housing initiatives as Director of the Housing Market System Division, Director of the Housing Construction Supply Division, and Director of the Housing Policy Division within the ministry. Notably, at the end of the Moon Jae-in administration, he served as the Blue House Secretary for Land, Infrastructure and Transport, demonstrating his ability to coordinate major state affairs. Immediately prior to his appointment as vice minister, he was an adjunct professor in the Department of Aviation Service at Gyeongin Women's College.

Previously, former Vice Minister Lee Sangkyung expressed his intention to resign on October 24 and was dismissed the following day. This was a voluntary resignation to take responsibility for remarks and personal investment controversies related to real estate that arose after the announcement of the October 15 real estate measures. As the position of First Vice Minister, which oversees overall housing, land, and construction policy, had been vacant for over a month, it is expected that the newly appointed Vice Minister Kim will swiftly stabilize the organization and accelerate the government's housing stability policies.