Scholar Advocates Full High-Density Development in Seoul Core Zones

Dr. Kim Si-deok stated that piecemeal housing supply is insufficient to lower prices in the metropolitan region. He criticized the government for suppressing the demand of residents who wish to live in Seoul’s core areas. This approach treats legitimate urban aspirations as misguided desires, he argued.

The scholar identified the “Boutique City” concept as the root cause of supply shortages. This dynamic occurs when affluent residents block large-scale development to protect property values. He noted that policymakers often reside in these protected zones, creating a conflict of interest that limits bold supply measures.

Core Seoul sites require full development

Kim urged the full high-density development of the Yongsan US military returned land and Seoul Forest. He warned that maintaining these as vast parks benefits only specific apartment owners. This strategy entrenches population concentration in Gangnam and accelerates the decline of Gangbuk.

He criticized the release of Green Belt and Development Restriction Zones as a favor-granting mechanism. These zones were originally restricted for security and private property protection. A piecemeal release is legally and logically problematic, according to his analysis.

Development in Namyangju and Gwangju falls short of new city-level supply standards. Namyangju has ample land but the scale is too small. Gwangju faces coordination difficulties due to mixed urban and industrial zones.

Election pledges on transport lack credibility

The scholar advised voters to view repeated undergrounding pledges with skepticism. The Inner Ring Road and Southern Ring Road projects are recurring election menu items. The Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 3 extension to Seongsu also appears frequently in campaigns.

These projects are astronomically expensive and often disappear after elections. If the same pledge appears more than twice, it is likely difficult to realize. Past promises of immediate express train services have faced delays due to practical constraints.

Media focus ignores regional housing needs

Kim argued that central media overemphasize Seoul-centric stories. Residents in Chungcheong, Yeongnam, and Honam regions do not prioritize Gangnam housing prices. The discourse fails to address policies that resonate with non-capital region residents.

This imbalance distorts the national housing narrative. It reinforces the perception that only the metropolitan core matters. GN auto markets/housing: housing prices data shows that regional dynamics are often overlooked in mainstream reporting.