Ordinance Proposed by Assemblyman Ki Yoon Kwon Approved as Originally Submitted
Localized Exception Standards Established
Andong City has newly revised its residential safety standards to better suit local conditions. The Andong City Council (Chairman Kim Kyungdo) announced on December 3 that the Economic and Urban Affairs Committee, during the 263rd 2nd regular session, approved as originally proposed the partial amendment to the "Andong City Building Ordinance" sponsored by Assemblyman Ki Yoon Kwon (Okdong, People Power Party).
This amendment was promoted in response to recent changes to the Building Act, which, as a rule, prohibit the installation of basement living rooms in certain buildings such as detached houses. The revision reflects delegated regulations that allow local governments to establish exception standards tailored to their specific regional characteristics.
Assemblyman Ki Yoon Kwon explained, "Andong has significant topographical variations and diverse housing types, so a uniform prohibition does not sufficiently reflect local realities. We have established reasonable and effective standards to guarantee residents' housing choices within the strict boundaries of safety requirements."
The newly established Article 34-2 stipulates that basement living rooms may be exceptionally permitted if all three conditions are met: ▲ there is no hindrance to securing safety such as evacuation and drainage; ▲ the basement floor is higher than the ground surface, allowing for natural drainage; and ▲ rapid evacuation routes are secured by connecting the basement to the ground floor via internal stairs.
This amendment is particularly significant in that it fully considers the increased risk of flooding due to climate change, while also reflecting Andong's unique topography and architectural needs. It is being evaluated as an advancement in local housing policy, not merely as a relaxation of regulations, but as a "balance between safety and choice."
Assemblyman Ki Yoon Kwon stated, "It is crucial to carefully incorporate the voices from the field, especially for policies that are directly connected to citizens' daily lives. I will continue to do my utmost in legislative activities to enhance both the safety and convenience of the residential environment through ongoing system improvements."
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