SEOUL — South Korea’s land minister nominee Hong Ji-sun has pledged to accelerate housing construction from groundbreaking to move-in, putting faster supply at the center of her policy message as Seoul continues to face pressure over housing affordability and property prices.
Hong, nominated to head the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said housing policy has a major effect on people’s daily lives and market expectations. She emphasized the need for policies that are consistent, predictable and capable of producing results on the ground.
Faster construction is at the heart of her plan
Hong said that, if confirmed, she would seek to speed up every stage of the housing-supply process, from breaking ground on a project to residents actually moving into completed homes.
Her comments come as the government faces pressure to increase housing availability in Seoul and surrounding areas, where demand remains particularly strong.
She also stressed the importance of cooperation between the central government and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, saying local-government coordination would be essential to turning national housing policies into actual projects.
Yongsan emerges as a key test
Hong has also indicated that the government could examine whether housing can be developed around parts of the Yongsan Park site while preserving its core areas.
In written responses submitted ahead of her confirmation hearing, Hong said the government was considering housing on peripheral sections rather than developing the entire park.
That proposal highlights one of the central challenges facing Seoul: finding additional land for homes while protecting major public green spaces.
Young people and newlyweds in focus
Hong has previously said she wants to deliver quality housing in desirable locations while paying particular attention to young adults and newly married couples.
Her nomination comes as housing affordability has become a significant source of public concern in South Korea. Reuters reported this week that housing policy has contributed to dissatisfaction with President Lee Jae-myung’s administration, alongside debates over taxes, borrowing restrictions and potential development in Yongsan.
The government has been balancing two competing objectives: controlling speculative demand while increasing the supply of homes in areas where demand is strongest.
Supply versus affordability
Increasing construction does not automatically translate into lower housing costs.
New projects can take years to complete, while land availability, planning approvals, financing, infrastructure and local-government negotiations can all affect the speed at which homes reach the market.
That makes Hong’s emphasis on shortening the period between groundbreaking and occupancy particularly significant.
The nominee has also said that central and local authorities need closer coordination so that housing policies do not remain at the planning stage but are implemented in actual communities.
Confirmation hearing will bring tougher scrutiny
Hong is expected to face questions from lawmakers during her confirmation process, including over housing policy and property-related issues.
Seoul Economic Daily reported that Hong’s Seoul apartment had also become part of scrutiny surrounding ministerial nominees, with questions raised about property-price gains and her real-estate holdings.
Those issues could add another layer to the confirmation debate as lawmakers examine both her proposed housing policies and her personal property record.
The bigger challenge for Seoul
South Korea’s housing debate now revolves around a difficult equation: how to increase supply quickly in high-demand areas without undermining other land-use priorities or worsening financial risks.
Hong’s proposed approach puts implementation speed and cooperation with Seoul at the center of that challenge.
If confirmed, her ability to turn those commitments into completed homes — rather than simply announcing new projects — will be closely watched as the government tackles one of the country’s most contentious economic issues.
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