[Exclusive] Sancheong County Council Chairman Kim Suhwan Urges New Apartment Complexes as Solution to Public Officials Commuting from Outside

Credibility of Depopulation Response in Question... County Council Urges Concrete Housing Measures
Proposes Phased Allocation of 200 Units in Danseong, Sinan, Geumseo, and Sinpung Districts

As criticism grows that the credibility of depopulation response policies is being undermined by the fact that many public officials in Sancheong County, Gyeongnam, commute from addresses in other regions, Kim Suhwan, Chairman of the Sancheong County Council, has called on Sancheong County Governor Lee Seunghwa to make a responsible decision by presenting a concrete housing infrastructure plan, specifying the number of apartment units by region.

In a recent statement on county affairs, Chairman Kim said, "The issue of public officials commuting from outside the county is not a matter of personal choice, but a structural problem caused by the lack of housing infrastructure," adding, "This is a core task in responding to depopulation that Governor Lee Seunghwa must personally pursue."

Photo of Kim Suhwan, Chairperson of Sancheong County Council

As a solution, Chairman Kim proposed the phased development of approximately 200 public rental apartment units, centered in Danseong-myeon, Sinan-myeon, Geumseo-myeon, and the Sinpung district.

He also presented a detailed plan for distribution by area: 60 units in Danseong-myeon, 50 units in Sinan-myeon, 40 units in Geumseo-myeon, and 50 units in the Sinpung district, suggesting that this allocation is realistic.

He explained, "Danseong-myeon has the highest housing demand, considering administrative accessibility and living infrastructure. Sinan-myeon and Geumseo-myeon require mid-sized complexes linked to existing residential areas, while the Sinpung district needs a strategic layout considering future development potential."

He further emphasized, "The target residents should primarily be Sancheong County public officials, young people, and newlyweds, and housing stability must be ensured through long-term public rental arrangements. The complexes should be developed as integrated residential communities equipped with daycare and childcare facilities, community spaces for residents, and sports facilities."

Although Sancheong County has been investing various response budgets as it is classified as a depopulation risk area, the structure in which a significant number of public officials responsible for administration commute from neighboring cities such as Jinju has persisted for several years.

A resident of Sancheong-eup commented, "Even after Governor Lee Seunghwa took office, housing measures have only been talk. Residents will only trust the county government if there is a plan specifying how many units will be built in each area and by when."

A resident of Sinan-myeon also pointed out, "It feels realistic to see numbers like 60 units in Danseong and 50 units in Sinpung. Now, it is up to the governor to decide whether to implement the plan or not."

Chairman Kim stated, "Public officials must first settle in the region for schools, local businesses, and villages to thrive together. If Governor Lee Seunghwa does not personally take responsibility and push forward with housing measures, including the construction of new apartment complexes, calls for accountability will only grow louder."

Meanwhile, the county council plans to discuss the feasibility of the apartment complex project, securing the necessary budget, and ways to link national and provincial funding. The local community is closely watching whether Governor Lee Seunghwa will make an official statement on the matter.