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France Bans Unwanted Telemarketing Calls: What About South Korea? Unwanted promotional calls have become a nuisance for many consumers. In France, a new regulation prohibits telemarketing calls unless consumers have given prior consent.As of August 11, France has implemented a ban on telemarketing calls that do not have the explicit consent of the consumer. This shift to an 'opt-in' system means that companies must obtain permission before making such calls, reversing the previous practice where consumers had to opt out.Exceptions apply for calls related to existing contracts or when consumers have explicitly agreed to receive promotional calls. Consumers can withdraw their consent at any time. Companies that violate this regulation could face fines of up to €375,000 (approximately $500,000).The introduction of this stringent regulation is largely due to widespread consumer fatigue regarding unwanted calls. It is estimated that about three-quarters of the French population receives unsolicited sales calls at least once a week. Although there was already an opt-out system in place, its effectiveness has been questioned due to non-compliance by some companies.So, can South Korea also effectively curb unwanted telemarketing calls?In South Korea, the Fair Trade Commission oversees the 'Do Not Call' registration system, known as Do Not Call (두낫콜), which is operated by the Korea Consumer Agency. Consumers can register their mobile numbers to indicate their refusal to receive telemarketing calls.However, the approach differs from that of France. While France requires companies to obtain consent before making promotional calls, South Korea allows consumers to express their refusal through systems like Do Not Call.If consumers continue to receive telemarketing calls despite registering with Do Not Call, they can request explanations or file complaints through the system. Telemarketing companies are required to check their contact lists against the Do Not Call registry at least once every 30 days.For calls and text messages from financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies, and securities firms, a separate Do Not Call system for the financial sector is available for consumers to refuse such communications.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 16:12:00
Third-heaviest rainfall in Korean records kills 1 in southern city SEOUL, August 17 (AJP) - Record rainfall along South Korea's southern coast killed one person and injured four on Monday, and the island city of Geoje logged the heaviest single day of rain since observations began there in 1972. Geoje recorded 577.4 millimeters between midnight and 1 p.m., the Korea Meteorological Administration said. Among the 97 surface stations whose records the agency ranks, only two days have produced more, both on Aug. 31, 2002, when Typhoon Rusa dropped 870.5 millimeters on Gangneung and 712.5 millimeters on Daegwallyeong. Geoje took 124.5 millimeters in a single hour, and nearby Tongyeong took 97.4 millimeters, both hourly records. Tongyeong also set a daily record of 409.7 millimeters. The weather agency put the hourly intensity at a level expected once every 200 years in Geoje and once every 100 years in Tongyeong. The rain came from the remnant of Typhoon Dolphin, which weakened well before reaching the Korean Peninsula. At about 4:42 a.m., a landslide swept soil onto the lower floors of an apartment building in Geoje's Okpo-dong, killing one resident and injuring two others. On Gonri Island in Tongyeong, a landslide buried a house and a resident trapped from the waist down was rescued and taken to hospital. In Ulsan, a taxi passenger was hurt when the driver braked to avoid a fallen roadside tree. Damage reports reached 838 nationwide as of 10 a.m., the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters said. A total of 159 people from 116 households evacuated in Busan and South Gyeongsang Province, and 108 had not returned home. The National Fire Agency said it had taken 1,947 calls from Geoje and Tongyeong and rescued 136 people. Power was cut to 2,030 households and 25 school facilities were damaged, 12 of them flooded. More than 20 roads in Geoje were closed at one point and most city bus services stopped running. Hanwha Ocean and Samsung Heavy Industries, which operate shipyards in Geoje, told workers not to travel in because roads around the yards were impassable. The government approved 3 billion won ($2.2 million) in special disaster management grants and 40 million won ($29,000) for relief operations. "Extremely heavy rain of more than 800 millimeters has fallen on the Geoje area since the 15th," Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-jung said. "The rain band is moving toward Busan, Ulsan and other neighboring areas and continues to produce rain, which makes this a very serious situation." The rain eased a drought in South Gyeongsang Province. Average storage at agricultural reservoirs across the province's 18 cities and counties rose to 43.1 percent as of 2 p.m. from 32.2 percent on Aug. 14, and Geoje's reservoirs climbed from 28.7 percent to 73.6 percent. Five counties were at the severe drought level on Aug. 14. By Monday afternoon only Miryang remained there. 2026-08-17 16:04:03
Homeplus Resumes Operations, Card Payments Normalized Amid Legal Issues Homeplus has resumed operations, prompting card companies to normalize payments for card sales that had been on hold. However, some funds remain frozen due to a partial seizure of payment claims by suppliers who have not received their payments from Homeplus. According to the financial sector on August 17, most card companies lifted their payment hold around the time Homeplus officially reopened on August 13. Following the resumption of operations, sales and customer traffic have increased, leading to the decision to release previously withheld payments. On the first day of reopening, Homeplus reported sales of 10.628 billion won, a 1.2% increase compared to the same period last year. The number of customers visiting its 67 offline stores also rose by 15% during this time. Previously, the card industry had suspended payments for canceled transactions after Homeplus temporarily halted operations at all its stores starting July 13. This measure was taken to minimize potential losses for card companies due to the risk of large-scale cancellations and refunds resulting from the shutdown. Under the current system, when a customer makes a payment, the card company initially pays the merchant and later collects the funds from the customer. If a payment is canceled, the card company processes the refund to the customer and must then recover the amount from the merchant. In a situation where merchants are facing financial difficulties, a large number of refunds could pose a risk to card companies, preventing them from timely recovering the funds they have disbursed. Card companies had previously experienced this risk during the 'Timon-Wemep' settlement issue, prompting them to proactively manage risks this time. However, some suppliers who have not received payments from Homeplus have placed a partial seizure on the payment claims from card companies, resulting in some payments still being withheld. The scale of the seizure is reportedly not significant enough to impact Homeplus's operations. The resumption of issuing Homeplus partnership cards and related services will be determined based on future developments. Although Homeplus has reopened, the direction of its rehabilitation process has yet to be decided. The deadline for the approval of Homeplus's rehabilitation plan is September 4. The plan must receive creditor consent and court approval to continue the rehabilitation process. If the plan is not approved, the rehabilitation process may be terminated and bankruptcy proceedings could commence. Currently, KB Kookmin Card and Shinhan Card have suspended the issuance of new Homeplus partnership cards. Shinhan Card is reviewing the possibility of resuming new issuances following the reopening, but no decisions have been finalized. Hyundai Card has ended the M-point usage service previously offered on the Homeplus online mall, while Hana Card has adjusted its membership benefits related to Homeplus. An industry insider stated, "As of now, there are no significant changes regarding the suspension of product issuance. We plan to review and respond in various ways to protect the rights of financial consumers based on the future operational status of Homeplus and market conditions." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 16:00:20
AI Data Centers Could Become Major Carbon Emitters, Report Finds A surge in the construction of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers may emerge as a significant new source of carbon emissions, according to a recent analysis.The Financial Times reported on August 16 that an examination of 60 data centers being developed by Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta in the United States suggests that once operational, these facilities could emit approximately 101.5 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.This figure represents about 7% of the total carbon emissions from the U.S. power sector last year, comparable to the emissions produced by 27 coal-fired power plants or 24 million gasoline-powered cars over the course of a year.The concern lies in the rapid increase in electricity demand from data centers, which is prompting an expansion of fossil fuel power generation.Among the utility companies supplying power to the 60 data centers studied by the Financial Times, about 75% are planning or constructing new gas power plants. Additionally, 17% of these companies have directly cited the need for new power generation facilities to supply hyper-scale data centers as a reason for their expansion.Plans to phase out coal power plants are also being delayed. Currently, one-third of the utilities operating coal plants have postponed their closure schedules.While renewable energy sources like solar and wind are rapidly increasing, they are struggling to keep pace with the rising demand from data centers, leading power companies to rely on gas generation, which can be expanded more quickly.Taylor McNair from the clean energy consulting firm GridLab noted, "There has been significant progress in the deployment of renewable energy over the past few years," but added, "When electricity demand surges, utility companies often turn to the easiest solution, which is to add gas generation."The increase in emissions associated with the expansion of AI infrastructure is also reflected in reports from major tech companies. Amazon reported a 16% increase in greenhouse gas emissions between 2024 and 2025, attributing this rise primarily to the construction of data centers and increased fuel use for delivery vehicles, with emissions from power purchases rising by 34%.Microsoft also noted a 25% increase in carbon emissions during the same period, citing the expansion of its data center infrastructure as a key factor.Alphabet, Google's parent company, reported an 18% increase in related emissions due to heightened supply chain activities driven by rapid business expansion. 2026-08-17 15:56:00
Moon Warns of Serious Consequences for Democratic Party Amid Factional Conflicts Moon Jae-in, the former president of South Korea, warned on August 17 that the Democratic Party is heading for serious trouble due to escalating factional conflicts. The party has seen tensions rise between the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction and the pro-Jung Cheong-rae faction during the ongoing national convention.In a video message delivered at the Democratic Party's third regular national convention held at the Daejeon Convention Center, Moon expressed significant concern, stating, "I have great worries looking at this party convention." He acknowledged that competition is a natural process that can make the party healthier and more vibrant, but emphasized that it should not lead to division.He added, "We know well the historical lesson that unity leads to victory and division leads to defeat. I urge you to compete fiercely but accept the results and show a mature attitude of embracing one another."Moon also highlighted the gravity of the current national situation, saying, "The Democratic Party, as the ruling party responsible for governance, has a heavy responsibility." He called for party members to put aside conflicts immediately after the convention and unite under a new leadership.Furthermore, he urged the party to focus all its efforts on strongly supporting the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration and ensuring the stability of the people's livelihoods.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 15:52:00
South Korea and U.S. Maintain Joint Defense Posture Amid Training Adjustments The Blue House stated on August 17 that South Korea and the United States have closely coordinated on maintaining their joint defense posture and training, and will continue to collaborate on specific matters moving forward. A Blue House official noted, "We pay attention to President Trump's social media message," adding that they hope the friendly relationship between the North Korean and U.S. leaders will lead to dialogue and discussions aimed at advancing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Additionally, the official mentioned, "We will make necessary diplomatic efforts as a facilitator under close South Korea-U.S. cooperation." Earlier that day, President Trump expressed on his Truth Social account that he was displeased with the U.S. agreeing to participate in joint exercises with South Korea, given his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He further explained that considering it was too late to cancel, he directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to significantly reduce the scale of the joint exercises. Trump also claimed that President Lee Jae-myung declined a request to participate in the denuclearization process of Iran. In response, the Blue House stated, "We have actively participated in discussions within the international community regarding a ceasefire in Iran and the free navigation of the Strait of Hormuz," and added that they are closely discussing practical and military contribution plans with the U.S., taking into account various factors such as readiness on the Korean Peninsula and domestic legal procedures.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 15:40:00
Interview: Yoo Hyun-soo on 'Killer's Shopping Mall 2' and His Character's Journey The Disney+ original series "Killer's Shopping Mall Season 2" continues to gain global popularity, surpassing the buzz of its predecessor. The return of Jin-man (Lee Dong-wook) and the new representative Jian (Kim Hye-jun) leads a massive counterattack against the global force "Babylon." Among the highlights of this season is the impressive performance of newcomer Yoo Hyun-soo, who plays Woo-jin, a young resident managing various affairs in Hanam-do. His character provides crucial support for Jian's awakening as a true leader. Despite sharing the screen with seasoned actors, Yoo has made a significant impact, proving his unwavering acting skills and earning the title of "the discovery of Season 2." "I was thrilled and honored to participate in the sequel of such a beloved work as 'Killer's Shopping Mall.' I am grateful to the director for giving me the opportunity to portray Woo-jin, and I felt a high level of satisfaction during filming, realizing that I made the right choice in pursuing acting," Yoo said. Yoo secured the role of Woo-jin through auditions, which included submitting non-face-to-face video auditions followed by in-person auditions where he showcased various versions of the character to the production team. "Initially, I sent a lot of monologue videos to the director remotely. After that, I met in person and demonstrated all of Woo-jin's scenes. When sending the videos, I prepared versions in both standard Seoul dialect and regional dialects," he explained. Once he passed the auditions, Yoo faced the challenge of thorough physical preparation. He had only two weeks before the first shoot in Tongyeong. During this short period, he had to master the regional dialect, obtain a motorcycle license, and learn boat handling skills. "When I heard the news of my casting, I expected to feel joy, but the pressure was immense. I had only two weeks before the first shoot in Tongyeong. During that time, I had to prepare the dialect, get my motorcycle license, and train for boat handling all at once. I practiced with a dialect coach every day, except when I was sleeping. Even after filming in Tongyeong, I would return to my accommodation and practice the dialect until bedtime. When I couldn't meet my coach, I practiced over the phone for more than three hours. I also had to rush to get my motorcycle license before heading to Tongyeong, but I slipped during the test on a rainy day and failed. I retook it and barely passed, and the day before filming, I received boat handling training from a local captain. I felt a strong sense of responsibility not to disrupt the excellent ensemble and storyline created by the senior actors and the director from Season 1," he said. In the series, Woo-jin navigates the fine line between being an innocent young man and a mysterious figure. Yoo adapted to the direction of director Lee Kwon, creating a multi-dimensional character. "The performance I prepared for filming was focused on Woo-jin's justification. It portrayed his innocent emotions when he was caught helping with smuggling or illegal immigration. However, the director suggested that this part needed to be more thrilling and mysterious, reminiscent of the character Baek Jeong-min from Season 1. So, I filmed two versions: one that preserved Woo-jin's justification and another as a villain. The director felt that the performance focusing solely on innocence was lacking, so he encouraged me to take a bolder approach as a villain. In that moment, I acted as if I were a spy dispatched from Babylon, setting aside the character of Woo-jin," he shared. Woo-jin's death in the middle of the story shifts the narrative flow. While it might seem disappointing for a newcomer to exit midway, Yoo understood the inevitable impact of his character's death on Jian's storyline. "I wasn't disappointed at all. I thought it was a very meaningful character. Looking back at Season 1, I believed Woo-jin was a character who briefly fulfilled the deficiencies of Jian. In the scene where Woo-jin dies, he asks Jian for her real name and says, 'That name is beautiful too.' I think that line conveys the message of loving someone for their existence, regardless of their past. It likely provided great comfort to Jian in her later life and gave her confidence in her identity. I believe Woo-jin served as a significant awakening and healing agent for Jian," he reflected. Kim Hye-jun, who plays Jian, was a strong support for Yoo, helping him blend naturally into the production despite his initial nervousness. "Kim Hye-jun is very cheerful and kind. After our first shoot, she arranged a meal with the director and treated me to bossam (Korean pork belly). We also went to a brunch café together and even got a one-day gym pass to work out together. Spending that time together made it easy to find our acting rhythm. I learned a lot from her, realizing that, like Jian, she has a significant influence on the set," he said. The synergy between the two actors is evident in their contrasting tones and intense emotional exchanges. Particularly, the scene of Woo-jin's final moments on the boat is highlighted as a standout moment of their powerful chemistry. "The scene where Woo-jin meets his death on the boat took nearly 6 to 7 hours to film. It was a deeply emotional scene, and I was focused. Kim Hye-jun provided intense energy, crying whether it was one take or ten. Receiving that energy allowed us to fully pour our emotions into our performances, resulting in a level of satisfaction beyond what I had anticipated," he said. Yoo's experiences on stage during his school years led him to the intense world of acting. The thrill of fully exchanging emotions, even in fictional situations, solidified his conviction to become an actor. "I have always enjoyed being in front of others. During middle and high school, I would always participate in talent shows and dance. While contemplating a career in the arts, I joined the drama club. There, I learned acting and performed, and the thrill of expressing my emotions to the audience and having them focus on my breath was immense. After going through auditions, I studied acting in college, and I found it incredibly enjoyable to feel and exchange emotions along with my roles. In this work, I felt that joy fully during scenes with the captain in the middle of the sea and in deep emotional scenes with Jian," he said. Having primarily portrayed lively and unique characters in previous works, the role of Woo-jin provided Yoo with a valuable stage to showcase the full spectrum of emotions. "In my previous works, I played brighter, livelier, and unique characters. While I have grown through diverse roles, in 'Killer's Shopping Mall 2,' Woo-jin embodies all emotions, allowing me to perform dynamically. The fact that I could deeply express what I had practiced and trained for was significant for me. I believe my strength lies in expressing large-scale events and emotions. I think the skills I developed through focused training on Greek tragedies and emotionally intense scenes in college have become my weapons," he said. With a solid foundation established in a large-scale action series, Yoo's gaze is now set on exploring a wider range of genres. From intense tragedies to lighthearted everyday stories, the potential faces of newcomer Yoo Hyun-soo are limitless. "In the future, I want to portray tragic characters in historical dramas, roles that allow me to fully express my emotions. Conversely, I would also like to take on bright and kind student roles or intense melodramas. I believe there are many more faces I can show. Through this work, I hope my sincerity as a young actor who is serious about acting comes across. I will continue to strive to be an actor who showcases a diverse spectrum and a variety of characters," he concluded. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 15:36:00
Vietnam to Establish Durian as a National Brand, Overhauls Production and Quality Control The Vietnamese government is overhauling its durian production and quality control systems to promote the fruit as a key export item. Following stricter customs inspections in China that impacted exports, the focus has shifted from merely increasing production to building a national brand and diversifying markets.According to VnExpress on August 17, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Cuong Trung inspected the current status of durian production, consumption, and exports on July 31. He instructed relevant ministries to improve production systems, enhance food safety, strengthen origin tracking, and expand processing, storage, and logistics infrastructure.Last year, Vietnam's durian exports reached a record $3.86 billion, but exports have sharply declined this year due to heightened customs inspections by China, which detected cadmium and banned dye substances in Vietnamese durians. This has brought quality control to the forefront as a major challenge for the durian industry.The government plans to reorganize cultivation areas based on environmental conditions and market accessibility. It will select suitable production sites by considering land, water resources, climate, infrastructure, and distribution channels, while limiting indiscriminate expansion in areas unsuitable for cultivation. A supply chain connecting cultivation, primary processing, consumption, and export will also be established.Export companies will be encouraged to reinvest in raw material production areas to support cultivation techniques and ensure compliance with importing countries' quality standards from the production stage.Food safety management will become stricter. Durians produced in areas flagged for cadmium contamination will not receive export permits, and affected regions will be managed separately. A food safety and plant quarantine monitoring program, along with an early warning system for pests and diseases, will be established for export durians.Efforts to restore inspection capabilities for exports to China are also underway. The Ministry of Science and Technology has directed the Quatest 1, 2, and 3 standard and quality technology centers to restore inspection capabilities and complete registration procedures for exports to China by the end of this month.The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will compile relevant data to request recognition of inspection facilities from China and expedite discussions on codes for cultivation areas, packaging facilities, and inspection procedures.Additionally, a national origin tracking portal will be linked with relevant data, allowing for the sharing of inspection data that can confirm cadmium and contamination detection.Assigning codes to cultivation areas and packaging facilities will be crucial for tracking the history from production to export. Importing countries must be able to verify which farm produced the durians and where they were packaged to ensure trust during customs clearance.Building on this foundation, the Vietnamese government aims to brand 'Vietnamese Durian' as a national product. By combining geographical indications, quality characteristics, and seasonal competitiveness, the goal is to secure a differentiated brand value compared to competitors like Thailand, rather than competing solely on production volume.The export market will also diversify from a China-centric focus to include countries worldwide. Efforts will be made to expand exports of frozen durians to South Korea, the U.S., the European Union, Japan, Canada, and Australia, while enhancing trade promotion activities in the UK, France, the Netherlands, and the UAE.The Ministry of Industry and Trade plans to utilize overseas trade representatives to monitor changes in import policies and technical barriers in various countries and provide relevant information to businesses. To reduce bottlenecks caused by a surge in inspections and exports at customs gateways, the ministry will also expand the provision of market demand and customs-related information.Investment in primary processing and storage facilities will be encouraged in major production areas to increase the export share of processed products like frozen durians. The Ministry of Finance will simplify tax administration to promote agricultural investment, while the Ministry of Public Security will strictly crack down on illegal activities related to inspections that negatively impact agricultural exports at border gateways.Local governments will also be assigned responsibilities for managing production areas. Each province and city will need to establish production and export plans tailored to local conditions and standardize cultivation data. The focus will be on improving productivity and quality rather than indiscriminately increasing cultivation areas. In particular, if delays in cultivation area codes or inspection procedures cause export disruptions, the chairperson of the provincial or city people's committee will be held directly accountable to the Prime Minister.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 15:36:00
Deposits Near 1 Trillion Won as Banks Face Funding Costs The combined balance of time deposits at South Korea's five major banks is approaching 1 trillion won. As the stock market experiences volatility and deposit rates rise, funds that were previously seeking investment opportunities are returning to banks. As of August 13, the balance of time deposits at KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, and NH Nonghyup banks totaled 999.2326 trillion won, an increase of approximately 14.2927 trillion won from 984.9399 trillion won at the end of last month. The influx of funds into time deposits is accelerating. The five major banks saw an increase of 7.5327 trillion won in May, followed by 4.6837 trillion won in June, and a significant jump of 35.5401 trillion won in July. If this trend continues, surpassing the 1 trillion won mark is expected soon. In contrast, demand deposits, which are characterized by their liquidity and are often held for investment purposes, are on the decline. The balance of demand deposits, including money market deposit accounts (MMDA), stood at 665.4398 trillion won as of August 13, down from 665.8879 trillion won at the end of last month. Banking officials attribute the recent shift in funds to a combination of interest rates and stock market conditions. With increased volatility in the stock market, there is a growing demand to keep money in deposits rather than invest aggressively. Additionally, the rise in time deposit rates back to the 3% range has supported this influx of funds. However, the issue lies in the costs. As the proportion of low-interest demand deposits decreases and the share of relatively high-interest time deposits increases, banks will face higher interest payments to attract deposits. Recently, the highest rates for one-year time deposits at the five major banks have risen to around 3.2% to 3.3%. Rising funding costs could lead to increases in deposit rates, which may also affect loan rates. The Cost of Funds Index (COFIX), used as a benchmark for variable-rate mortgage loans, is calculated based on the funding costs of major domestic banks. Since the structure reflects rates from savings accounts and financial bonds, an increase in banks' funding costs could exert upward pressure on COFIX. A banking industry official stated, "What is more important than the increase in deposits is the interest rate at which funds are raised. In a situation where it is difficult to significantly increase household loans, a rapid rise in high-interest deposits could increase the burden on banks regarding fund management and profitability."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 15:32:00
Challenges Persist in Housing Development at Yongsan Park and Camp Kim The South Korean government has officially opened the door to the possibility of housing development at Yongsan Park, but analysts warn that significant obstacles remain before any actual supply can be realized. Even the nearby Camp Kim, a site returned by the U.S. military, has been stalled for nearly a decade due to soil contamination and cultural heritage investigations, preventing any construction from starting.To build housing in Yongsan Park, which is designated as a national park by law, amendments to special legislation are required, along with the return of U.S. military bases, soil remediation, and consultations with Seoul city regarding infrastructure. This indicates that the complexity of the development process will increase significantly from the outset.According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the real estate industry, Minister Kim Yoon-deok stated during a press conference on August 14, marking his first anniversary in office, that the government would consider the suitability of housing supply across the entire Yongsan Park, not just the Yongsan Children's Garden.As the government has publicly discussed the development of Yongsan Park for the first time in over 20 years, there are calls to explore the option of utilizing part of the area for housing. However, given the prolonged delays in the Camp Kim project, which has already been approved for development and returned, there are concerns that Yongsan Park cannot be quickly leveraged to address Seoul's housing shortage.Camp Kim, located in the Yongsan district of Seoul and covering approximately 48,400 square meters, was returned by the U.S. military in December 2020. The government initially announced plans to supply around 3,100 public housing units but later adjusted the figure to about 1,400 units. In this year's '1·29 Supply Plan,' the green space criteria were relaxed to allow for an increase to 2,500 units, but the earliest construction start date is now set for 2029, meaning it will take nine years from the return of the site to the beginning of construction.Notably, Camp Kim is designated as a 'mixed-use development zone,' which allows for more flexible development compared to the main Yongsan Park site. Despite the legal hurdles being lower and the site already returned, the project has still faced delays due to soil contamination and cultural heritage investigations. The complexity of the conditions for Yongsan Park development is much greater, requiring amendments to special laws and changes to the comprehensive master plan for the Yongsan Park maintenance area.The return of the site and soil remediation also present variables. The primary reason for the prolonged delays at Camp Kim has been the discovery of soil and groundwater contamination across most of the site. Approximately 97% of the area exceeded residential land standards, necessitating remediation, and the discovery of cultural heritage during the cleanup process halted work for an additional year. Furthermore, delays in consultations with relevant agencies regarding development density and green space requirements, as well as the amendment of special laws, have pushed the construction timeline for the site returned in 2020 to 2029.Experts emphasize that considering the unique circumstances of Yongsan, close cooperation with local governments and relevant agencies must precede discussions about supply volume and speed. Seojin Hyung, a professor at Kwangwoon University, stated, "Given the numerous core issues such as soil contamination and negotiations with the U.S. military, it is essential to fully gather opinions from Seoul and Yongsan and collaborate closely." He added, "There are limits to simply increasing supply speed administratively without considering the interests of stakeholders."Seoul city and Yongsan district oppose housing supply in Yongsan Park, citing it as the last large green space remaining in the city center. Even if the national government exercises its authority to designate public housing districts and approve projects, consultations with Seoul city will be unavoidable to expand infrastructure such as roads, schools, and water supply systems.Minister Kim Yoon-deok is scheduled to meet with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on August 20 to discuss expanding housing supply in the city. Given the differing views on utilizing Yongsan Park, this meeting is expected to address related issues as a key point of contention.There are also calls for caution regarding the development of Yongsan Park itself. Lee Eun-hyung, a researcher at the Korea Construction Policy Institute, remarked, "Even if a large number of housing units are supplied in a prime location like Yongsan, it is unlikely to stabilize housing prices across Seoul, and there is a high possibility that the premium location will be reflected in the prices of new housing." He added, "As large green spaces in central Seoul enhance urban competitiveness, it is a priority to continue advancing ongoing maintenance projects and the supply of third-generation new towns."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 15:32:00