Vice Minister Lee Sang-gyeong of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated at the inauguration that they will supply affordable dwellings for actual demanders. He particularly emphasized the expansion of public rental dwellings in terms of housing welfare.
At the inauguration ceremony held at the Sejong Government Complex on the 30th, Vice Minister Lee noted that there should be continuous efforts to expand housing supply for housing stability, provide affordable dwellings for the homeless, including youth and newlyweds, and supply public rental dwellings from a housing welfare perspective.
Vice Minister Lee also emphasized the need for additional measures on the supply side following household debt measures recently. The government announced a household debt management plan on the 27th, which includes a limit of 600 million won on housing mortgage loans and the prohibition of loans to multiple homeowners. Vice Minister Lee stated, "We need to closely monitor the situation after the household debt measures and prepare necessary actions for market stabilization," adding, "Above all, we must present a plan to stably supply affordable dwellings to actual demanders."
Vice Minister Lee also said, "We need to restore the housing ladder for different generations and classes, including single-person households, youth, newlyweds, and the elderly, and establish a housing safety net without worrying about rental fraud through affordable lease agreements."
Vice Minister Lee emphasized the necessity of balanced national development for "true growth." He remarked, "Balanced growth, where everyone lives well, is also an important task," stating that for sustainable national development, it is necessary to escape the monopolistic structure of the metropolitan area and form ultra-wide economic and living zones with strong competitiveness and high quality of life in each of the five regions and three specialties. He further urged, "We must promote a national spatial innovation strategy where large cities and small and medium-sized cities grow together through fostering regional innovation hubs and expanding connected transportation networks."
Moreover, Vice Minister Lee remarked, "As construction costs continue to rise and unsold properties increase in the regions, restoring the construction economy, which is the backbone of the local economy, is crucial," and urged, "In the short term, we must prioritize people’s livelihoods and demonstrate visible results through swift policy implementation."
Vice Minister Lee is considered a key figure in President Lee Jae-myung's real estate policy. He has supported policies since President Lee's time as the mayor of Seongnam and the governor of Gyeonggi Province.
The presidential office announced the appointment of Vice Minister Lee, describing him as a representative real estate reform advocate who has strongly argued for the prevention of real estate windfall profits and the recovery of development profits, stating, "He has continuously advocated for a paradigm shift in policies that recognize housing not as ownership but as a right, including the expansion of customized public housing."