Land Minister Nominee: "Policies Will Work through Close Consultation with Seoul, Including Yongsan Park"

Hong Ji-seon, nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated in her inaugural remarks regarding housing issues such as housing supply within Yongsan Park, "We will ensure our policies work effectively on the ground through sufficient prior consultation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government."

Arriving at the Government Complex Sejong this morning (the 31st), Nominee Hong met with reporters and said, "Having worked extensively in local government, I have experienced firsthand how central policies are cascaded down and reflected in the field." She added that she will closely cooperate with Seoul to address major pending issues related to housing supply in Seoul, including Yongsan Park.

Nominee Hong entered public service after passing the Local Higher Civil Service Examination in 1996 and built most of her career in Gyeonggi Province.

While she served as the 2nd Vice Minister at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport overseeing roads, railways, aviation, and logistics, she spent a long time gaining comprehensive experience in the land and transport sector at the metropolitan government level, serving as Director of Road Policy, Director of Road Planning, Director of Construction, Director of Railways, Director of Railway, Port and Logistics, and Head of Urban Housing Headquarters in Gyeonggi Province.

She stated, "I take on this heavy responsibility during a difficult time," adding, "We will promptly supply high-quality housing in preferred locations and pay close attention to housing stability, particularly for young adults and newlywed couples."

Furthermore, she emphasized, "To promote balanced national development and narrow the gap in regional transportation infrastructure, we will solidify the foundation for region-led growth by supporting mega-projects and expanding transport infrastructure," and added, "We will pay closer attention to safety management, which is a vital duty of the state, to prevent unfortunate safety accidents from recurring."

She continued, "Based on my field experience in Gyeonggi Province and my expertise as the 2nd Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, I will pursue practical policies that the public can genuinely feel and experience."

She revealed that she did not receive any separate personal contact from President Lee Jae-myung prior to her nomination as a ministerial candidate.

Regarding the stabilization of the metropolitan housing market, she noted, "Housing policy has a major impact on public livelihoods and market expectations." She added, "Above all, consistent and predictable policies are needed. We will swiftly implement the housing supply measures announced by the government while accelerating execution to ensure they become actionable policies all the way from actual ground-breaking to occupancy."

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