Seoripul Public Hearing Canceled Due to Resident Opposition to Be Held Again on December 12

by Choi Daeyul

Published 27 Nov.2025 10:44(KST)

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on November 27 that it will hold the second public hearing for the strategic environmental impact assessment of the Seoripul District 2 public housing site on December 12 at the Seocho Sports Complex in Seoul.

Previously, on November 24, the public hearing could not be held due to opposition from local residents, so the ministry decided to arrange another session. If the public hearing cannot be held again or cannot proceed properly, the subsequent procedures will move forward without a public hearing in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. According to Article 18 of the Enforcement Decree of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, if an explanatory session cannot be held once, or if a public hearing cannot be held or properly conducted twice, the procedure may be omitted and replaced with a public notice in newspapers.

In District 2, it has been reported that residents are opposing the designation of the district, demanding the preservation of the area, particularly around the clustered villages and the cathedral, instead of development. Seoripul is the only area in Seoul where the government announced the lifting of the greenbelt designation in November last year to expand housing supply. It has attracted attention as this is the first time in 12 years that the greenbelt in the Gangnam living area of Seoul is being considered for release.

Members of the Umyundong Cathedral congregation and local residents are reading a statement opposing the development at the public hearing for Seoripul District 2 held at the Yangjae AT Center in Seocho-gu on the 24th. Photo by Lee Jieun

Since the launch of the new administration, instability in the metropolitan housing market has intensified, prompting the government to accelerate housing supply. However, there are concerns that the development of the symbolic Seoripul district may be delayed due to resident opposition. The Seoripul District 2, currently being considered for designation as a public housing site, includes residential areas, greenhouses, streams, forests, and cemeteries. Religious facilities in the area include Umyeon-dong Cathedral and Gwangmun Church.

Earlier this month, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoonduk visited the Seoripul district and requested, "Please actively manage each step of the process to aim for the district designation around January next year," adding, "Take meticulous measures such as listening to residents' opinions to minimize inconvenience during the project."