Ruling party presidential contender becomes laughing stock for 'apartments on schools' idea

Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, a presidential hopeful of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday, presenting his housing policy promise to provide a total of 2.8 million homes. Yonhap

By Jung Da-min

Presidential contenders have come up with various ideas to increase the housing supply and prevent further price escalation.

The most sensational among them so far is former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun's plan to build apartments on top of school buildings, a plan which is drawing huge attention ― mostly mockery and sarcasm.

Chung, a presidential hopeful of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), announced the plan to redevelop old schools and turn them into residential-school complexes.

“On the sites of public schools, we could erect a building where the first to fifth floors are used as a school and the sixth and above floors as residential spaces so that parents and students can live there while the children attend the school,” Chung said during a press conference at the National Assembly, Tuesday.

Through this plan, he pledged to provide 200,000 homes in Seoul alone, as a part of his promise to provide 2.8 million homes nationwide through various projects in both the public and private sectors during his term if he is elected president next March.

A computer image of “an apartment on top of a school,” a housing policy idea presented by ruling Democratic Party of Korea presidential hopeful Chung Sye-kyun / Captured from internet

Chung's idea went viral online, with many people expressing mixed responses ― most of which were negative or sarcastic. Some even made computer-generated images of such a complex. Some said the idea was fresh and worth considering but others expressed concerns about expected inconvenience such as noise complaints from schools or possible crimes. Critics also said his plan was unrealistic in terms of prospective costs.

An internet user said the residential-school complex idea lacks an understanding of why school areas are separated and protected from outsiders.

“There have been many incidents at schools caused by outsiders, such as a male pervert hiding inside a girls' restroom,” the internet user said, adding that the priority should be on protecting students when it comes to operating schools.

Another internet user expressed concerns over noise complaints that could be raised by residents saying it is natural for schools to be loud.

Many also said it would be better to build residential places on top of Cheong Wa Dae, the National Assembly or other public organization buildings. Some also left sarcastic comments such as “Wow, the students living there would never be late for school.”

“Chung's idea is unrealistic because existing schools were built with a weak structure and it is difficult to extend them even one floor higher. It could be possible if the existing schools are demolished and built again but destroying functioning schools across the country would be a waste of money,” Rep. Park Soo-young of the main opposition People Power Party wrote on Facebook.