[WORD_ON_THE_WEB] 'Regulations on reconstruction must be lifted'

The government officially announced a housing supply measure on Tuesday. The plan for stability of housing welfare also contains ideas related to the original wave of new towns like those in Ilsan and Bundang.

Won Hee-ryong, minister of land, infrastructure and transport, said that a master plan will be announced in 2024 after a thorough study with designs to revamp the towns completely. However, the Commission on Presidential Transition had once said the master plan would be implemented in the course of this year.

Residents in those new towns are expressing their disappointment as the announcement that the plan to revamp their neighborhoods was put off — it was part of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s presidential campaign. Some are saying “he’ll probably make use of it for future general elections,” given the fact that the measure lacks detailed implementation plans and an announcement of the master plan was put off until 2024. Others are worrying that the renewal projects might be passed on to the next administration.

“We will start materializing the plan this year. But it would take a year to be fully established to collect the opinions of residents and take legislative steps. We are hoping it can be prepared by 2024, but we’ll make efforts to speed up the process as well,” said Won.

#dangerous_place_to_live
“Regulations on reconstruction must be lifted. I’m living in a ragged, dangerous place. I’d like to pay the cost and fix the house by myself. Why have they put a limit on this?”
“Forget housing prices, the first new towns should be reconstructed swiftly in terms of safety issues and residential environment.”

#it_needs_more_time
“It is impossible to solve housing issues overnight. A broader picture should be drawn first, and then implement the plans step by step.”
“The reconstruction is not an easy task. It certainly requires much time.”

#empty_words
“They made an announcement that they had postponed an announcement?”
“The government has announced a measure that says it will make a plan by 2024. What they really mean is that they’re going to think about it, taking no proper action.”

BY HWANG JAE-YOUNG, BY HAN HYE-RIM [han.hyerim1@joongang.co.kr]