Minister Kim Hyun-mi Steps Down After 3 Years and 6 Months "Heavy Heart and Apologies"

On the 1285th Day Since Inauguration, Farewell Address on the 28th
"Housing Stability for the People Will Soon Be Realized"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] "I leave with a heavy and apologetic heart, unable to fulfill the promise to ease housing concerns."

Kim Hyun-mi, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stepped down after 3 years and 6 months.

On the 28th, the 1,285th day since her inauguration, Minister Kim delivered her farewell speech, saying, "I leave behind unfinished tasks." However, she added, "With the expansion of the supply base to 1.27 million housing units in the metropolitan area and the passage of the three lease laws guaranteeing tenants' residential rights from 2 to 4 years for the first time in 31 years, I believe that housing stability for our citizens will soon be realized." She also said, "This year is a meaningful year as we achieved an 8% stock rate of long-term public rental housing at the level of advanced countries," adding, "By 2022, there will be 2 million units, and by 2025, 2.4 million units, which will be a great support for 8 million homeless households."

She emphasized, "Now, the qualitative level of rental housing is also important," and requested, "I hope that by cooperating well with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, we can create lifelong homes with sufficient space and quality that anyone would want to live in."

Minister Kim repeatedly urged for the protection of workers' lives and safety. She said, "Please ensure that the construction workers' wage direct payment system, skilled worker grading system, quasi-public bus system, and full monthly salary system for taxis are properly established," and added, "I hope the recently passed Living Logistics Act, which just crossed the standing committee threshold, will lead to substantial improvements in the treatment of delivery workers with sincere efforts." She also asked, "Please pay attention to road maintenance workers and airport ground handling workers who work in difficult environments."

Holding the title of the longest-serving minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, she also shared her reflections on her public service career. She said, "We were comrades who fought countless battles together rather than just ministers, executives, and staff," and added, "The time was long and dense beyond measure, and thanks to that, I was able to endure."

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