서울시 “그린벨트 해제 협의한 적 없어”…국토부와 엇박자

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) and Seoul City found themselves at odds over the interpretation of the government's decision to significantly relax development restrictions (green belts) in the August 13 housing policy. The Ministry argued that only the procedural steps related to land leasing authorization remained, while Seoul City insisted that the green belt suspension had not yet reached a consensus point.

The Ministry's proposed "Rapid Housing Supply Solution for Property Tax and Sales Market Stability" excluded areas such as Seoul's Gangnam region green belts from the target list, which had been previously discussed as potential new land candidates for housing. However, the Ministry agreed to temporarily designate the entire Seoul green belt and the Seoul adjacent metropolitan green belt as land leasing authorization areas until the announcement of the next round of public housing sites.

When asked about the question of whether the bundling of Seoul's green belts implies that green belts encompass new housing sites, Ministry Secretary-General Kim Yoon-deok stated, "Since it has been bundled, we should think about it." The Ministry emphasized that this decision was based on practical administrative procedures rather than a lack of preparation or lack of agreement with local governments.

Seoul City officials, however, stated that while there was considerable discussion on the practical aspects, the green belt suspension had not been fully agreed upon. Nam Jong-un, Deputy Director of the Housing Division, urged further consultations between Seoul City and the government on several unresolved aspects, including the development of the International Business District in Jung-gu, the selection of candidate sites for comprehensive public housing in central Seoul, and the coordination of infrastructure such as roads, schools, and sewage systems.

The green belt suspension remains a key issue between the government and Seoul City, as the public housing special act grants the authority to designate public housing sites and approve urban planning to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The finalized list of housing sites still requires coordination between the Seoul City and Seoul's education office.

The Ministry announced that the space in Euncheon Park would accommodate 1,000 units, with the former airport land earmarked for 270 units slated for construction in 2029. Euncheon Park, with its scenic views of the Han River and well-established infrastructure, would need coordination with Seoul City and Seoul's education office regarding the use of school land and the construction of a student indoor gymnasium.