용산 청년주택은 제2의 ‘무상급식’이 될까 [아침햇발]

The proposal to build a large-scale public rental housing for young adults and newlyweds in Jung-gu, Seoul, is considered a bold and forward-thinking concept. Jung-gu is already known as a high-end residential area, with the completion of Jung-gu Park potentially allowing it to surpass Gangnam. This development in such a prime location signifies a significant shift from the usual real estate development practices seen in our society.

A premium housing space with views of the park could easily cost over 100 million won per unit, which is expected to be within the reach of only a small number of elite investors. This is a common practice in the Korean real estate market. The Jung-gu Youth Housing project challenges this norm by turning it on its head. The term "Republic" in its name is inspired by the ancient Roman "Res Publica," meaning "public property."

This signifies that the highest quality facilities and conveniences should be available to the public. The housing project aims to be a vital resource for addressing the housing crisis for the most vulnerable group in 2030, particularly those struggling to find affordable housing. With over 245,000 residential units and around 31,000 two-bedroom units in central Seoul (as of 2024 and 2020, respectively), many of these are occupied by young people.

Many of these young people have moved to Seoul for job opportunities but are being pushed out to the outskirts due to the high cost of living. Recent public opinion surveys show increasingly negative attitudes towards housing policies among younger generations, primarily due to the impact of rising property taxes. Constructing 50,000 to 100,000 mid-to-high-end rental apartments in the Jung-gu Park area could lead to a chain reaction of improved living conditions for the 280,000 residents of Seoul.

This could set a precedent for other cities to adopt more public-centric housing policies to prevent young people from moving away. The decision to drive this policy change is rooted in the aspirations of the younger generation. On the other hand, the strong opposition from the conservative party reflects the resistance of property owners to public housing.

There may also be a historical argument for turning the entire Jung-gu Park into a public space, given its unique status as the only large flatland in Seoul's city center. However, redesigning the park to increase accessibility and utilization is necessary. For instance, reducing its width from 2.5 km to a few hundred meters while maintaining its length could still create a park of similar scale to Central Park in New York, which occupies over 2.9 km².

The key challenge will be maintaining the park's openness and accessibility, as seen in Central Park, where buildings can't dominate the view. The construction of a park-like space without walls or gates would be possible, preserving the mountain views. The redesign of Central Park, which surrounds its buildings, is not impossible.

Additionally, the park should coexist with other residential spaces, reflecting a new mindset that prioritizes equitable living opportunities for all.