Politics · South Korea · 15 hrs ago
Yongsan district opposes plan to allow housing in Seoul park
Yongsan district in Seoul opposes a proposed change to park law that could allow housing on parts of Yongsan Park.
The government is considering homes on three sites: the former Defense Acquisition Program Administration site, a military apartment area and the Officers’ Housing Complex 5.
These are already developed areas on the park’s outer edge, which the government says could limit damage to green space.
The government is examining a plan for about 7,000 homes across park land, but the exact plans remain under review.
The proposed law would allow park land to be used for housing and make it easier to plan development in stages.
Yongsan district says the park should remain an ecological and historic national park, citing a commitment built over decades.
It also says soil contamination must be investigated and cleaned up, and that transport and school capacity must be addressed before housing is built.
The amendment may be put before the National Assembly on November 12, but it needs legal approval and faces opposition from local authorities.
Yongsan District on Nov. 9 reiterated its strong opposition to a proposed amendment to the Yongsan Park special law.
The amendment would allow the park’s main area to be used for housing and other purposes, and ease some green-space requirements.
The government is considering housing at three sites, including an old defense procurement agency site and military housing.
Yongsan District said the park should be preserved as an ecological and historic national park and called for soil safety checks and infrastructure plans before any housing development.
The district said the bill could be presented to the National Assembly plenary session on Nov. 12.
- Who
- Yongsan District opposes the proposed law change; the government is considering housing in the park.
- What
- A proposed amendment would allow the park’s main area to be used for housing and other purposes.
- When
- The district restated its opposition on Nov. 9, 2026. The bill could be presented to the National Assembly on Nov. 12.
- Where
- Yongsan Park in Seoul, South Korea.
- Why
- The district says the park should be preserved as an ecological and historic national park, and that public consultation, soil safety checks and infrastructure plans are needed.
Yongsan District
South Korean government
Park land use
Yongsan District
The district opposes using the park’s main area for housing and says the park should remain an ecological and historic national park.
South Korean government
The government is considering housing supply at sites in the park, including three sites described as already developed.
Development conditions
Yongsan District
The district says detailed soil contamination checks, cleanup and safety verification, and transport and education infrastructure plans must come first.
South Korean government
Not stated
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reported to a Cabinet meeting on plans for returned U.S. military sites in Yongsan.
A report said the government had selected three sites for priority consideration for housing supply.
Yongsan District reiterated its opposition to the proposed amendment.
The district said it had heard the amendment could be presented to the National Assembly plenary session.
- Priority sites
- Old Defense Procurement Agency site, military apartments, and Officers’ Quarters Complex 5
- Housing scale
- About 7,000 units under government consideration, according to Yongsan District
- Proposed law
- Amendment to the Yongsan Park special law
- Possible bill date
- Nov. 12, 2026
What people are saying
Yongsan District clearly states its opposition.
No matter how urgent it is, you cannot tie thread around a needle's waist and use it.
Once damaged, the value of the park is difficult to restore.