Kim Yoon-deok, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said regarding the relaxation of reconstruction regulations such as the excess profit recovery system for reconstruction and the easing of floor area ratios, "I think we need to actively consider this to increase the supply of dwellings," and "There is a need to balance private and public interests, so I will proceed while carefully examining public interests."
On the morning of the 15th, Kim arrived for her first day at the personnel hearing preparation office set up at the Government Complex Gwacheon and met with reporters, saying, "It is a heavy burden to take on the role of (Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) during difficult economic times. I will do my best to discuss it with many people."
Kim is a three-term lawmaker considered a key figure among the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction in the Democratic Party of Korea, and was appointed as the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport by President Lee Jae-myung on the 11th. She has experience in the National Assembly's Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee from 2014 to 2016 and again from 2020 to 2022.
Regarding dwellings supply measures, Kim stated, "Rather than having specific plans, I will first look at the progress of the 3rd new towns," adding, "I think it would be better to actively utilize various available sites than to create additional new towns."
She also hinted at major reforms for the Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH). Kim noted, "President Lee said he would prefer a more proactive approach rather than a passive one. In terms of LH reform, aside from employee issues, I received instructions to consider large-scale reforms that could structurally change things and to approach this actively and aggressively."
Regarding additional regulations following the announcement of household debt measures on June 27, she indicated, "After the regulation is announced, we need to carefully observe various market conditions, and it seems that decisions should be made in consultation with financial authorities rather than solely by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport."
On the potential for additional regulations, such as expanding speculative overheating areas and land transaction permission zones, she stated, "Rather than specifying this at this moment, we need to have extensive discussions," and added, "I will hold specific discussions during the personnel hearing, based on the practical work reports I receive."
She expressed concerns about her lack of expertise in the land and transport sectors, stating, "Having served on the National Assembly Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee for four years, I don't think I can be viewed as having expertise; I think I'm lacking quite a bit," and added, "However, considering President Lee's intention in nominating me as Minister, I think it means that diverse wisdom is needed."
She further added, "I understand this as a directive to reflect various opinions and values based on policies that consider real estate issues from the public's perspective, rather than just proposing them from the desk, visiting the field, and gathering opinions from various scholars, experts, and serving lawmakers from both parties."