Ministerial Nominee Hong Ji-sun Pledges Seoul Talks on Yongsan Park Housing Plans

Hong Ji-sun has made cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government his first priority as he prepares to become South Korea’s next land and transport minister, particularly over housing plans linked to Yongsan Park.

Speaking to reporters on his way to work at the government complex in Sejong on the 31st, Hong said his years in local government had shown him how central policies are carried out in the field. He pledged close coordination with Seoul on major housing supply issues in the capital.

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I have worked extensively in local government, so I have sufficient experience of how central policies are delivered to local governments, reflected on the ground and put into operation.

“I have worked extensively in local government, so I have sufficient experience of how central policies are delivered to local governments, reflected on the ground and put into operation,” Hong said. He also stressed that discussions with Seoul would be essential.

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Discussions with Seoul are more important than anything else.

Hong avoided commenting on specific supply proposals involving Yongsan Park and the Tancheon Water Reclamation Center, saying it was difficult to discuss individual issues while he remained a nominee. Instead, he emphasized the broader principles he would bring to real estate policy: consistency and predictability.

“Policies affect people’s lives and the market,” Hong said. “Therefore, above all, consistent and predictable policies are needed.” He added that announced housing supply measures should be implemented quickly and designed to work in practice. Hong entered public service in 1996 and held senior transportation, construction, rail, port, logistics and urban housing posts in Gyeonggi Province. He also said President Lee Jae-myung had not contacted him personally before his nomination.

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Policies affect people’s lives and the market. Therefore, above all, consistent and predictable policies are needed.