Oh Se-hoon: Up to 13,000 Homes Could Be Built in Gangnam's Tancheon Area

[Financial News] Oh Se-hoon said that the Tancheon Sewage Treatment Facility site in Gangnam, which he recently proposed, could accommodate up to 13,000 homes. He also sharply criticized the government's push to transfer authority over small-scale redevelopment projects to local district heads, calling it "dangerous desk-bound policymaking."
Speaking to reporters at the 10th Korea Future Innovation Forum seminar in Seminar Room 2 of the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 25th, Oh said, "The housing proposal for the Tancheon Sewage Treatment Facility was not made hastily." He added, "If housing is placed on about 400,000 to 500,000 square meters of land, with roughly half of the area used for residences and the rest for parks and an advanced industry research and development complex, we can secure at least 10,000 homes and as many as 13,000."
According to Oh, a master plan for the site was drawn up two years ago. He said the feasibility study has already been completed and is now under review for a private operator. He also noted that Daecheong Station and Hangnyeoul Station are nearby, making the site convenient for transportation.
He added, "If we include a youth-focused complex here, it would create housing where jobs and living spaces are directly connected for young people." He continued, "Compared with using part of Yongsan Park, this could become a far more effective and desirable residential complex." Oh estimated that it would take about 10 years to supply housing on the site, but said that with government cooperation, one to two years could be saved.
On the government's and the Democratic Party of Korea's decision to improve the system so that local district heads can handle redevelopment and reconstruction projects involving fewer than 500 homes in Seoul, he criticized the move as "the kind of proposal you would only hear during an election campaign." Oh said, "It was suddenly announced by the political sphere without any real debate or in-depth consideration. It is truly dangerous desk-bound policymaking."
Oh also explained that 7 of the 9 steps in redevelopment projects are already delegated to district heads. "In particular, the most important approvals for project implementation and management and disposal are under the district head's authority," he said. "Misleading the public, who may not be aware of this, and making one-sided claims as if the process is bottlenecked at the Seoul Metropolitan Government is a statement that is very far removed from reality."
He also pointed to possible side effects. "Seoul is one living area," he said. "Transportation, water and sewage, gas and electricity, and other basic infrastructure are all part of the city's foundation. After comprehensive expert review, the order and priority are determined based on how housing can be arranged in a way that minimizes inconvenience to residents."
Oh said, "The Changsin area was progressing normally, but after a new district head took office, the redevelopment process was halted." He added, "It is deeply regrettable that the government is failing to address the disparities among local districts."
[email protected] Kwon Jun-ho Reporter