Seoul: The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Monday intensified its criticism of a ruling party lawmaker's proposal to transform old buses into youth housing, labeling it an irresponsible idea that mocks the public.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the criticism emerged as Rep. Hwang Hee of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) faced backlash after suggesting the conversion of discarded buses into short-term housing for young individuals near universities in a Facebook post, referencing the use of houseboats in the Netherlands.

"Instead of telling young people to live in these discarded buses, we hope the DP moves its own headquarters and lawmakers' offices into such buses," PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok expressed during a meeting of the party's supreme council at the National Assembly. He further criticized the proposal as a "barrage of nonsense" that ridicules young people and mocks the public.

PPP chief spokesperson Choi Bo-yun also criticized the idea in a commentary, describing it as a "bizarre" proposal that underscores the Lee Jae Myung administration's overall failure in housing policy and its lack of understanding of the challenges young people face. Choi emphasized that Hwang's proposal demonstrates the current administration and the ruling party's disregard for the lives of young Koreans.

Other lawmakers echoed the criticism, urging the government to devise feasible plans to increase housing supply for the youth. Hwang removed the post approximately two hours after posting it, amidst backlash for downplaying the challenges confronting young people, later explaining that it was merely an idea.

The DP has issued a press release clarifying that Hwang's proposal was a personal opinion and not the party's official stance.