The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs held a meeting with the Ministry of Public Administration and Security and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Environment in the Blue House to report annual work performance. The meeting was hosted by President Lee in participation of not only government officials but ordinary citizens such as residents of four major river areas, industry workers, farmers and bus drivers, etc.
The four Ministries reported their work plans for 2010 and had a joint public-private discussion under the topics of “four major river restoration and local economy revitalization” and “policy to promote green lifestyle”.
Especially, the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs announced that it will put the highest priority on the following plans:
1) MLTM will make its best efforts to create new jobs
The Ministry will execute its budget earlier next year to create more jobs in the public sector. It will execute 66% of its budget allocated for SOC (23 trillion won) and 61% of its budget for ministry-affiliated organizations early next year. The Ministry will try to boost housing construction by the private sector.
It will allow the private sector to build houses in Bogeumjari Housing Districts (25%) and implement a housing cap price system starting next year.
2) MLTM will give more focus on four major rivers restoration and Kyungin Ara Waterway Project.
The Ministry plans to complete 60% of weir construction and dredging before the end of 2010. It will carry out a project to create high-quality residential, tourist and leisure areas around four major rivers (To this end, the Ministry will finalize a development plan next year).
The Ministry will try to complete 62% of the Kyungin Ara Waterway project. It will thoroughly manage waterway construction process through a comprehensive project management system and create a beautiful waterfront area such as Park Way.
In addition, the Ministry will undertake an urban improvement project. It will designate pilot cities at the second half of next year and will restore waterways in urban areas.
3) MLTM will give more homeownership opportunities to low and middle incomers.
The Ministry will provide 180 thousand Bogeumjari Houses and designate more Bogeumjari Housing Districts in Green Belt Areas next year. It will build more diverse types of houses such as Officetels and silver houses in response to increasing one person households and aging population. Furthermore, the Ministry will supply more permanent rental housing, national housing and public housing for low income citizens.
4) MLTM will increase its investment in SOC, which contributes to green growth, and turn existing buildings and cities into energy-saving ones.
The Ministry will expand KTX lines and build high speed railways in greater Seoul area by 2014 to encourage the use of trains for long and mid distance travel (50% by 2050 from 29.3% currently).
Mass transportation will become more convenient and faster.
The Ministry will expand M-Bus lines up to 16 and launch inner circle bus routes that travel around highways and a transport card system that can be used nationwide.
In addition, the Ministry will try to earn the first grade in energy efficiency to take the lead in reducing energy consumption of government buildings. Energy intensive buildings such as department stores will have to comply with the system that limits energy consumption for a year. It will provide incentives to existing building that are remodeled more energy efficiently.
5) MLTM will do its best to improve national status taking the opportunity of the G20 Summit.
The Ministry plans to reduce traffic, construction, fire and marine accidents. To this end, it will make it compulsory for cars to have digital operation recorders installed and for buildings of more than certain size to designate fire prevention zones within the buildings. It will also come up with a plan to eliminate bribery and cartel of construction companies.
