Seoul: Land Minister Kim Yun-duk announced that the government's plan to provide additional housing by developing greenbelt areas will be confined to Gyeonggi Province. This decision comes amid ongoing differences with the Seoul city government regarding housing supply measures within the capital.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim's statement came in response to inquiries about whether the ministry's plan to supply 73,000 new housing units would include sites in Seoul. This discussion took place ahead of a scheduled meeting with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, aimed at addressing housing supply in both the capital and its surrounding areas.

Kim clarified to reporters that "the 73,000 housing units will be supplied in Gyeonggi Province," thereby excluding greenbelt areas in Seoul from the government's upcoming housing development initiatives. This announcement follows the government's recent declaration to initiate the construction of 27,000 homes by 2030, targeting new development projects in Gangseo in western Seoul, as well as Namyangju and Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province.

The land ministry previously indicated plans to reveal additional development sites capable of accommodating over 73,000 homes in late September. This led to speculation about the possible inclusion of underutilized land or greenbelt areas in Seoul. However, the broader housing supply strategy has encountered skepticism due to opposition from the Seoul city government against developing environmentally protected greenbelt areas.

The meeting between Kim and Oh is expected to concentrate on housing supply strategies and finding ways to reconcile differences between the central and Seoul governments. Mayor Oh, associated with the main opposition People Power Party, has expressed his opposition to the government's proposal to construct homes in Yongsan Park, located in central Seoul.