SMG, land ministry at odds over Yongsan development

By Lee Kyung-min

Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) and the land ministry are at odds over redevelopment plans for a new city park in Yongsan, Seoul. The land is being freed up as much of U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Yongsan is currently undergoing relocation to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province.

While SMG wants full access to the premises as a relevant party to the negotiations, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) says SMG is asking for too much.

On Monday, SMG said MOLIT has yet to respond to its request filed early this month seeking the latter’s cooperation to enter the premises for an on-site inspection.

“Our request sent on Oct. 5 remains unanswered,” an SMG official said. “We fear that the park redevelopment plan may be pushed without fully reflecting the voices and needs of the citizens.”

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon has for a long time voiced concerns about the current plan that the park will still house government facilities, including the Ministry of National Defense and the new U.S. Embassy.

Park has wanted all the buildings to be moved off the property, approximately 2.65 million square meters, so that the park can be fully returned to the public.

“We ask the ministry, which has the authority to set up and carry out this project, to share information with city officials involving the details by inviting us to make an on-site inspection,” the SMG official said.

However, a MOLIT official said, “Even my ministry colleagues are only allowed to go there with approval from the defense ministry and the U.S. They should file the same paperwork as we do.”

The ministry also questioned the mayor’s intention.

“It is unclear what the mayor and officials want to inspect,” said the official. “If they want access, then they should state the purpose of their visit.”

The park redevelopment plan will be finalized by the end of next year.