Kim Yong-beom, head of the Presidential Office of Policy Planning, said Friday that "real estate is at its worst," stressing that "a rush toward real estate or specific sectors must be strongly guarded against." He added, "Real estate prices are already showing unusual movements again. This will become far more pronounced toward the end of the year and into next year," and said, "I believe we must find solutions urgently."
Speaking on YTN Radio's "Lee Dong-hyung's News Head-on Showdown" that day, Kim assessed the situation, saying, "Our current account surplus is likely to be about three times larger, and listed companies' profits are three to four times higher than last year," adding that "compared to a year ago, the demand pressure (on real estate) has grown much stronger." He emphasized, "So we must establish even more extraordinary measures on the supply side. That is why I said we must 'just build, no matter what.'"
Kim said, "The situation is fundamentally difficult because fewer (homes) were built in 2024 and 2025, but we cannot blame that." He said, "We must desperately work to create (housing land) beyond the existing third-phase new towns and the 60,000 units (in the greater Seoul area) announced last time." He explained, "We also need to supply long-term rentals that match the preferences of younger generations, and we are reviewing policies anew by each tier — measures for LH to supply more through purchase rentals, and even measures for jeonse and monthly rent."
Regarding the recent three mega projects, Kim said, "Beyond the dimension of balanced regional development, I think it will be a macro-level, balanced approach." He also said, "The problems that arise when everything is concentrated only in the greater Seoul area are not simply about people who own specific assets there gaining profits." When the host asked whether warmth must spread to both "the warm and cold parts of the room," Kim said "yes," presenting it as a solution to overcrowding in the greater Seoul area.
Regarding the decision that day to confirm Gwangju Military Airport as the site for the Honam-region semiconductor cluster, Kim cited the dispersal of the Gwangju Military Airport's Air Force training requirements. He said, "The companies unanimously recommended it as the optimal and most preferred location for both firms," adding that "from the government's standpoint, the plan to relocate Gwangju Military Airport existed before, and now the ball is in the government's court."
He said, "The question then is how quickly we build a new military airport in Muan or such areas," but added, "The government must consult with the Air Force to prepare a (aircraft) dispersal plan. That way, we can use this land without waiting until a new airport is built in Muan."
Earlier that day, the government held a public-private inspection meeting on the semiconductor cluster, presided over by President Lee Jae-myung, and decided to create a Honam-region semiconductor industrial complex using the Gwangju Military Airport site. Kang Hoon-sik, Presidential Chief of Staff, said at a briefing that day, "The companies presented the view that among the candidate sites in the Honam region, Gwangju Military Airport is the most suitable." He explained, "The Gwangju Military Airport area can secure a site of about 2.5 million pyeong, and given the nature of an airport, leveling has already been completed, offering the advantage of minimizing the site construction period."
