Land Minister Hong Ji-seon Says “Housing and Transport Must Go Hand in Hand”... 5th Rail Network Plan to Link Housing Supply and Balanced Development

[Financial News] Hong Ji-seon, minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan would link housing supply, support for industrial hubs, and balanced regional development. The government plans to consider increasing investment in light of future transportation demand, while setting priorities with due regard for limited funding and the progress of existing projects.
Minister Hong said at a public consultation event on the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan, held at the Korea Specialty Contractors Association building in Seoul on the 13th, “Even if new housing is supplied, it will be difficult to significantly improve people’s quality of life if they cannot travel conveniently between home and work.” He added, “Housing and transportation must go hand in hand.”
The 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan is the highest-level plan for the railway sector, setting the direction for expanding the rail network over the next 10 years. MOLIT plans to focus on building transportation networks that support travel demand arising from new housing supply, as well as industrial and regional development.
Minister Hong said, “We will build rail networks to support the Three Mega-Projects, helping industrial hubs grow and improving residential conditions.” He added, “It is also important to closely connect regional development under the Five Mega-Regions and Three Special Self-Governing Provinces Strategy with surrounding cities, supporting locally led growth and the formation of super-regional economic and living areas.”
He also stressed the need to ease traffic congestion in the Seoul metropolitan area and expand regional transportation networks on time. Minister Hong said, “We will work carefully to ensure that residents of the Seoul metropolitan area do not have to endure transportation inconveniences for long, and that networks linking regional hubs with surrounding cities are in place on schedule.”
However, the government’s position is that it will be difficult to include all projects proposed by local governments and others.
Minister Hong said, “There were many proposals this time as well, but government funding is limited, and existing projects must also be completed without disruption.” He added, “We will carefully determine the appropriate investment scale and project priorities, among other things, while listening to people’s views.”

[email protected] Choi Ga-young Reporter