“Excluding Volume Increase Only for Bundang Among First New Towns… A Clear Violation of Equity”
On the 19th, officials from Seongnam city and local National Assembly members from the People’s Power party opposed the government’s restrictions on permits for rebuilding in Bundang New Town, arguing that freezing the volume only in Bundang is unfair.
At a press conference held at the National Assembly, Representatives Ahn Cheol-soo (Seongnam Bundang A) and Kim Eun-hye (Bundang B) from the People’s Power party, along with Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin, demanded that “The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport should immediately revise the decision to freeze Bundang’s volume while areas like Ilsan, Jungdong, Pyeongchon, and Sanbon have had their volumes increased.”
Recently, the government expanded the maximum designated area for the first new town development projects from 26,400 to 69,600 households, nearly 2.7 times the previous limit. As a result, Ilsan’s annual permit volume increased significantly from 5,000 to 24,800 households, and Jungdong’s from 4,000 to 22,200 households. Pyeongchon and Sanbon also saw their volumes more than double. However, Bundang’s volume effectively remained frozen.
It was emphasized that the demand for rebuilding in Bundang significantly exceeds the government-assigned volume. They pointed out, “Bundang’s new town pioneer district application volume for 2024 is about 59,000 households, which is approximately 7.4 times the officially allocated standard volume of 8,000 households for Bundang.” They criticized the government’s decision to freeze volumes due to inadequate relocation plans despite the explosive demand and high approval rates for rebuilding among residents.
They further argued, “However, the relocation timeframe is an issue that arises at least three years after volume selection, during the management disposition plan approval. Thus, the annual permit volume limitation should be abolished to allow as many complexes as possible to proceed with formal rebuilding steps. During the management disposition approval stage, the affected local government and the Ministry of Land should adjust the volume by mutual agreement for a swift rebuilding process.”
They claimed the government’s refusal to increase Bundang’s volume cap was driven by political motives. “Excluding only Bundang from volume increases among the first new towns cannot be justified by anything other than political reasons; it is regional discrimination and a clear violation of equity.”
Concerns were also raised over potential traffic congestion and imbalances in living infrastructure if only some complexes in Bundang undergo rebuilding, given the entire city infrastructure is designed as a unit. While approximately 100,000 households are eligible for rebuilding, the current method could require decades for comprehensive city renovation.
They urged for a special maintenance plan and support system that considers Bundang’s urban characteristics and the need for simultaneous rebuilding, advocating for an integrated maintenance plan that encompasses the whole city, rather than a piecemeal, annual approach.