In response to the government hinting at a housing supply plan utilizing the entire Yongsan Park site, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has re-emphasized its stance that a cautious approach is necessary, prioritizing the preservation value of Yongsan Park.

Lee Min-kyung, spokesperson for the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated in an official statement, "There is no change in Seoul's position that supplying housing by damaging Yongsan Park, the final large-scale downtown green space in Seoul, must be approached with extreme caution."

Spokesperson Lee emphasized, "Yongsan Park is not a mere idle site, but a precious national asset that protects the lives of citizens in the era of the climate crisis and must be safely handed down to future generations."

She continued, "The fundamental intent of the Yongsan Park Special Act is precisely to preserve Yongsan Park to the maximum extent possible and develop it into a space for public leisure, rest, and natural ecology."

Spokesperson Lee added, "We clearly state once again that this is not a matter to be pursued without sufficient social discussion and consensus simply to meet immediate supply targets."

Earlier today (August 14), Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yun-deok stated during a press conference marking his first year in office that the ministry is considering expanding beyond the Yongsan Children's Garden to review the entire Yongsan Park as a potential housing supply site.

Minister Kim said, "We are considering ways to build homes by overcoming issues such as contamination and consultations with the U.S. military across large and small sites in Yongsan," adding, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is reviewing all possibilities with an open mind regarding housing supply."

Minister Kim also noted, "Housing supply can only proceed by narrowing differences if the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Seoul join hands," while emphasizing, "At the same time, this should not lead to showing incompetence where the government cannot do anything just because Seoul opposes it."

(Photo: Yonhap News)