What did Land Minister Kim Yun-duk say about housing development in Yongsan Park?

Kim said the government is considering limited housing development on parts of Yongsan Park that have already lost some of their green-space function. He rejected claims that the park itself would be turned into a massive public housing project.

Which parts of Yongsan Park is the government reviewing for possible housing use?

The government is looking at areas within or around the park that have already been developed or used for other purposes. Kim specifically cited former officers’ residences, military housing and the former site of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.

Why is the government pushing housing development around Yongsan Park now?

The move is part of a broader housing plan that seeks to supply more than 230,000 additional homes in the Seoul metropolitan area. The plan also includes accelerating development on public land, easing some greenbelt restrictions and supporting private-sector projects.

Land minister says gov't considering part of Yongsan Park as housing site

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Summary

Land Minister Kim Yun-duk said Wednesday the government is considering limited housing development on parts of Yongsan Park in central Seoul that have already lost some green-space function. He dismissed concerns that the park will be bulldozed for a massive public housing project and said the review focuses on already developed or repurposed sites. Kim plans to discuss the proposal Thursday with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. The government’s broader housing plan aims to add more than 230,000 homes in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Key Facts

Yongsan Park is mostly on land returned from the former U.S. military garrison and spans about 3 million square meters, or roughly 420 soccer fields.
Kim said the government is reviewing sites within or around the park that have already been developed or used for other purposes, including former officers’ residences, military housing and the former site of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
The government’s housing plan calls for supplying more than 230,000 additional homes in the Seoul metropolitan area.
Kim said he will discuss the proposal Thursday with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who has openly opposed developing green areas in central Seoul for housing.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 19, 2026 4:40 pm KST

Land Minister Kim Yun-duk attends a committee briefing on land, infrastructure and transport at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Land Minister Kim Yun-duk said Wednesday the government is considering using parts of Yongsan Park that have already lost some of their function as green spaces for limited housing development.

Kim dismissed concerns that the government plans to turn the central Seoul park into a massive public housing development as part of efforts to increase housing supply in the capital.

The park, mostly located on land returned from the former U.S. military garrison, spans about 3 million square meters, equivalent to roughly 420 soccer fields.

"It is not true that the government is pushing to build houses by bulldozing green areas in Yongsan Park," Kim said during a parliamentary committee meeting at the National Assembly.

Kim said the government is reviewing sites within or around the park that have already been developed or used for other purposes, citing former officers' residences, military housing and the former site of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.

Regarding the possible use of greenbelt areas for housing, Kim said the government could consider areas that have already lost much of their environmental value, while preserving green spaces that need protection.

Kim said he plans to discuss the proposal Thursday with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who has openly opposed developing green areas in central Seoul for housing.

The government's housing plan calls for supplying more than 230,000 additional homes in the Seoul metropolitan area by accelerating development on public land, easing some greenbelt restrictions and supporting private-sector projects.

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