By Lee Tae-hoon
Staff Reporter

The government will encourage the construction of environmentally friendly houses as part of its ``green growth'' programs, a ranking government official said Friday.

``Under the slogan of `let's create green space,' the administration will actively support the green home industry,'' he said.

``Officials of Cheong Wa Dae and related ministries are preparing specific measures,'' the official said on condition of anonymity.

The plan will be added to the government's green policy, which focuses on the four-river refurbishment project, eco-friendly transportation such as bicycle-exclusive roads, and the development of electric cars.

On Nov. 5, President Lee Myung-bak is expected to review the final draft of the plan jointly prepared by government offices, including the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, sources said.

Under the plan, builders would be required to meet stricter environmental standards if a construction project involves more than 20 houses at one site.

Conglomerates and state-funded firms will also be obliged to maintain their buildings as eco-friendly.

The sources said the Lee administration wants the eco-friendly housing industry to become the nation's green-growth driver and a major export item.

They pointed out that the administration is planning to launch the tentatively named Future City Research Institute to add momentum to the fledgling industry.

At a ceremony to mark the inauguration of the Korea Land and Housing Corp. on Oct. 7, President Lee instructed the public firm to build eco-friendly houses for energy conservation.

``I believe, once the public firm takes the lead, private businesses will follow suit,'' Lee said.

A presidential aide said that the measure will help create ``decent'' jobs and to assist the construction industry emerge as a future growth engine.

In August last year, President Lee declared that ``low carbon, green growth'' would be the new national vision for the next decade.

Early this year, Lee also announced the ``Green New Deal'' aimed at creating 960,000 new jobs through investing 50 trillion won ($42.3 billion) through 2012.

Under the Five-Year Plan for Green Growth, the government has set the goal of making Korea one of the world`s top seven countries in terms of green competitiveness by 2020 and a top five member by 2050.

leeth@koreatimes.co.kr