Land Minister Kim Yun-deok announced that Yongsan Park will be excluded from the new housing site candidates to be announced this year [1].
The decision clarifies the government's strategy for expanding residential capacity in the Seoul metropolitan area. By removing the high-profile park from the list of potential development sites, the administration avoids potential conflicts over the preservation of urban green spaces, and historical sites.
Speaking at the Dalgaebi Conference House in Jeong-dong, Seoul, Kim addressed the status of the park during a meeting with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon [1]. The announcement follows speculation regarding which areas would be selected for the government's aggressive housing push.
Kim said that Yongsan Park was not included in the supply target from the beginning [1]. The broader initiative aims to provide 73,000 households [1] across the metropolitan region to stabilize housing markets.
According to the minister, the exclusion is based on the fact that the park was never part of the original plan and requires extensive consultation with the Seoul city government [1]. This coordination is necessary to ensure that new developments do not interfere with existing urban planning, and environmental protections.
"Yongsan Park will be excluded from the new housing sites to be announced within the year," Kim said [1].
He further clarified the scope of the project, stating, "Yongsan Park was not included from the start in the supply target of 73,000 households" [1].
“"Yongsan Park will be excluded from the new housing sites to be announced within the year,"”
The exclusion of Yongsan Park suggests the government is prioritizing existing land banks and less contentious sites to meet its 73,000-unit goal. Because the park is a symbol of national heritage and urban ecology, attempting to convert it into residential housing would likely have faced significant legal and public opposition, potentially delaying the overall housing rollout.
