Lee calls for all-out efforts to boost housing supply

President Lee Jae Myung stressed the urgent need for rapid housing construction during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. He emphasized the importance of decreasing administrative procedures and accelerating the supply of housing units to tackle the soaring housing prices that persist despite government interventions.

Lee highlighted the decline in housing construction permits and new land availability for real estate development over the past three years as key contributors to the housing supply disruptions. He called for immediate implementation of consistent market management policies and large-scale housing supply measures to resolve the ongoing issues in the real estate market.

To boost housing supply, officials were instructed to expedite land preparation and administrative permit granting processes, without being hindered by conventional practices and procedures. Lee stressed that ensuring stabilizing market conditions depended on the success of administrative management.

Furthermore, the president called for a thorough overhaul of public safety functions, including policing, firefighting, and disaster prevention. He emphasized the necessity of providing comprehensive protection measures for both the public and personnel working in these fields. Lee emphasized that administrative capacities should focus on safeguarding the lives of citizens and their everyday well-being, instructing officials to conduct rigorous safety checks on facilities that attract large crowds, bridges, and other critical public structures.

Lee also highlighted the role of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA) in conducting impartial investigations, particularly into crimes that endanger people's lives, such as corruption and financial offenses. He directed the SCIA chief, Kim Ji-yong, to fulfill his duties promptly and effectively, alleviating public concerns over prosecution reform and contributing to a fair social order.

The SCIA was established earlier this month as part of the Lee administration's prosecution reform, which separated investigative authority from the prosecution service, leaving it solely responsible for indictments and their maintenance.