After several months of suspension due to permit delays, two major housing projects have resumed, normalizing the supply of 2,700 housing units that were at risk of move-in delays. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) and the Architecture & Urban Research Institute announced on the 16th that, within just a month of piloting the Rapid Permit Support Center, they facilitated legal interpretation and donation negotiations to restart permits for two housing projects. The center was established as part of a national policy to expand housing supply and address issues such as increased project costs and rising sales prices caused by permit delays. Its main role is to directly mediate legal interpretation confusion and disagreements between local governments and developers during the permit process.
From November 26 to December 5 last year, the center accepted support applications from permitting agencies and project implementers, selecting two projects in Uijeongbu and Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province. The Uijeongbu project faced over six months of delays due to differences in fire compartment interpretation, while the Uiwang project was stalled by disputes over insufficient donation of public facilities. The support provided resulted in a total project cost reduction of approximately 3 billion KRW. Specifically, the Uijeongbu project saved 1.5 billion KRW through legal clarification, and the Uiwang project saved 1.3 billion KRW by resolving the donation issue.
In Uijeongbu, the project was halted for six months due to differing interpretations of fire compartment regulations, but the center’s legal review supported the developer’s interpretation, allowing immediate resumption and significant cost savings. In Uiwang, the redevelopment project was embroiled in a dispute over the area of public facility donations, but the center mediated based on relevant laws and precedents, calculating the shortfall at 1.3 billion KRW and enabling the project to proceed as planned. To ensure the center’s continued and stable operation, a revision to the Real Estate Development Project Management Act has been proposed.
Kim Gyu-cheol, Director of Housing and Land at MOLIT, emphasized that this achievement goes beyond solving individual cases, as it enhances predictability in the permit process and reduces burdens through cooperation among central government, local governments, and the private sector. Once the legislation is passed, the center will be officially launched to provide a solid institutional foundation. These cases are expected to positively impact housing supply expansion, project cost reduction, and price stabilization. Continuous institutional improvements are anticipated to bring tangible changes for the public.
The pilot operation of the Rapid Permit Support Center demonstrates a practical solution to systemic issues in the housing permit process, such as legal ambiguities and disputes. By facilitating swift mediation and legal interpretation, the center effectively reduces project delays and financial burdens. As the institutional framework is strengthened, this model could significantly enhance the efficiency and predictability of housing supply, contributing to greater stability and transparency in the real estate market.