Hwang Hee Apologizes for "Bus House" Controversy: "Failed to Grasp Seriousness of Youth Housing"

Rep. Hwang Hee of the Democratic Party of Korea, who caused a controversy by proposing the so-called "Bus House"—remodeling scrapped buses into living spaces as a measure to expand housing supply for young people—offered a sincere apology today, saying, "I sincerely apologize."

Hwang stated on his Facebook page today, "Regardless of my original intention, I bow my head and deeply apologize for causing great concern and disappointment to the youth generation and the public."

Hwang explained, "The proposal started from an idea born out of deep consideration to bridge the time gap in government-led housing supply and to temporarily ease the severe burden of temporary housing costs for low-income young people, even just a little." He added, "Regardless of the reasons, I failed to deeply grasp the severity of the housing problems young people face in the field."

"I feel a heavy sense of responsibility for failing to carefully look into the hearts of the youth who are the direct parties concerned with housing, thereby causing them hurt and disappointment," he added. "Taking this incident as an opportunity, I will listen more closely to the realistic voices of young people and do my utmost to come up with more practical and complete housing innovation measures."

Previously, on the 7th, Hwang mentioned the case of remodeled scrapped and used ships into housing in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and proposed a bus-house-style design adapted to domestic conditions by changing the ships to buses.

In response, the People Power Party launched a fierce offensive, asking, "Is this a measure for the youth, who are the future of the nation?" and demanding, "Rep. Hwang and his family should immediately set an example by moving in as the 'No. 1 Bus House residents.'"

As the controversy grew, Han Jeung-ae, the policy committee chair of the Democratic Party, also stated during a press conference the previous day, "It has unexpectedly hurt young people in the process, and for that part, I am truly regretful and sorry."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.