도심 녹지·그린벨트 개발, 그땐 틀리고 지금은 맞다?

Amid a severe housing crisis, the city's central green spaces, notably Gwanghwamun Park, have become a contentious issue for politicians. Historically, conservative parties favored development while progressive parties prioritized green space preservation, but recent realities of housing shortages and political pressures have shifted the debate.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport recently announced plans to identify suitable land within Gwanghwamun Park for redevelopment while preserving the last large expanse of green space in Seoul. Gwanghwamun Park, designated as a national park in 2007 under the Gwanghwamun Park Establishment Special Act, is the country's first national park to retain its 'park purpose.'

The government intends to utilize greenbelt zones with environmental ratings of 3-4 for expanding Seoul's housing supply. The ruling party, led by the presidential office, supports this approach. Deputy Kim Nam-guen stated during a recent parliamentary session that "housing supply for the young is inevitable using public land." Deputy Prime Minister Hyun Jeong-gyeom echoed this sentiment on TV, emphasizing the importance of utilizing "difficult land" effectively.

The government's interest in central park redevelopment stems from the lack of available land for large-scale housing projects. Rebuilding and redevelopment processes, including various permits, make rapid site acquisition challenging, and alternative public housing provision methods are also difficult. Large greenbelts or state-owned land have become attractive options for the government due to their appeal.

However, environmentalists and opposition parties remain strongly opposed. Seoul Mayor O Se-hoon firmly opposes using Gwanghwamun Park land for apartment buildings, citing the irreversible loss of green space. Members of the People Power Party, such as Representative Guk Yeong-se, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Head of Environment, also oppose greenbelt releases.

This debate marks a stark contrast to the 2008 presidential election when the ruling party's proposal to release greenbelts to meet housing demand was met with opposition from the conservative camp, while the opposition party feared green space degradation. However, the past six years under President Moon Jae-in saw a more nuanced approach, separating restoration areas from developable greenbelt zones.

This shift reflects the changing priorities of housing supply and environmental protection in the current policy landscape. Gwanghwamun Park's case is particularly contentious due to its dual symbolism as both a green space and a national park, marking a symbolic turning point in Korean history. Bank of Korea's real estate analyst Kim Cang-kwang stated that "the Gwanghwamun Park redevelopment issue reflects the policy clash between the value of national symbolic assets and the urgent need for housing in Seoul's central area."

Ground Connect Representative Cang-wook argued that "without a comprehensive plan addressing both the government's need for a market shock and opposition from conservative parties, the government's stance will be ineffective."