Han Byung-do says Yongsan Park special law should not block debate on better use of site

Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Han Byung-do said Thursday that while the founding intent of the special law governing Yongsan Park must be respected, it should not stand in the way of discussions on how to make better use of the site.

Speaking at a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly, Han said converting the entire site into a park had been the national consensus when the law was enacted under the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2007. "But nearly 20 years have passed since then," he said. "The housing reality facing young people and newlyweds, as well as Seoul's housing demand and demographic structure, have changed dramatically."

The Special Act on the Creation of Yongsan Park requires that the entire main site of the former US military base — returned by the United States — be developed as a park, and prohibits any change of use for non-park purposes. Amending the law would be necessary before any housing could be built on the Yongsan Park site.

Han also addressed the government's suggestion that the Yongsan Park site could be used to boost housing supply. "The question of how to use the Yongsan Park site should be discussed calmly, from the perspective of providing quality housing that future generations — young people and newlyweds — can afford, close to where they work and live," he said. "The Democratic Party will make housing supply for the younger generation its top priority."

Han also directed pointed remarks at Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, questioning why Oh opposed even a review of how to use parkland that struggles to function as green space. "This is not something to dismiss as reckless development before any review has even begun," Han said.

He urged Oh and the People Power Party to shift their approach. "The responsible stance would be to work together to find a path that preserves green space while also creating opportunities for young people," Han said. "Mayor Oh and the People Power Party should start viewing Yongsan through the lens of young people's lives."