The Democratic Party, Spread of Opposition to Greenbelt Release... Opposition Demands President's Statement

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Cheol-eung and Lee Ji-eun] Democratic Party lawmakers are voicing opposition to the lifting of restrictions on greenbelt areas. Although controversy arose following remarks by Policy Chief Kim Sang-jo that the ruling party and government had aligned their views on greenbelt deregulation at the Blue House, concerns reflect the uncertainty of supply effects even if greenbelts are released, and the possibility that it could instead trigger housing price instability. As an alternative, opinions have been raised that it is preferable to identify usable sites within urban areas and pursue high-density development, making the likelihood of greenbelt deregulation in the short term appear low.

On the 20th, Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Nak-yeon told reporters, "We must be extremely cautious about touching the greenbelt," adding, "Priority should be given to increasing supply in areas with high demand. For example, it is proper to first examine whether there are ways to utilize vacant spaces, implement high-density development including easing floor area ratios in urban centers, consider using neighborhood living zones or quasi-residential areas, or allow more flexible construction of residential buildings within commercial districts."

Go Yong-jin, the ruling party's floor leader on the National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' the same day and responded "I think so" when asked if the possibility of greenbelt deregulation is low. He said, "Personally, I oppose greenbelt deregulation, and even if it must be done, it should be a last resort," adding, "As historical experience shows, it invites speculative demand and it is difficult to see effects sufficient to stabilize housing prices."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Doo-kwan also appeared on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strong Current Affairs' that day and mentioned, "Even if the greenbelt is released to increase supply, housing units would only be available four years later. However, every time supply was expanded, housing prices rose and prices did not ease."

The day before, the ruling party, government, and Blue House reportedly held a closed-door meeting focusing on greenbelt deregulation while planning to announce real estate supply measures by the end of this month. The remarks following this meeting have drawn particular attention.

Opposition voices also come from first-term lawmakers. Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Yong-woo told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "If the greenbelt is released, a huge amount of land value will be unleashed, which could instead act as a factor of market instability," adding, "It is the right direction to find and develop sites within urban areas that can be publicly developed." He is an economic expert who has served as COO of Korea Investment Trust Management after working at Hyundai Group and as CEO of KakaoBank.

Meanwhile, opposition parties are united in calling for President Moon Jae-in to directly express his position and make a decisive resolution regarding the recent greenbelt controversy.

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, raised his voice at the emergency committee meeting held that day, referring to the recent greenbelt controversy and saying, "To overcome confusion in housing policy, President Moon should make a decisive decision." Kim said, "Recently, even governors and the Minister of Justice have been making statements related to housing policy."

On the same day, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, also urged President Moon, saying, "Please clarify whether you are considering utilizing military-owned land and deregulating greenbelt areas as measures to expand housing supply." At the party's supreme council meeting held at the National Assembly, Ahn said, "Greenbelt deregulation is a serious issue," adding, "It is not something to be decided unilaterally by the government."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.