Rep. Kim Young-bae, chairman of the Seoul City Party of the Democratic Party of Korea, met with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on the 22nd to discuss ways to supply housing in Yongsan Park, but they were unable to narrow down their differences.
Representative Kim met with reporters at the National Assembly after having a lunch meeting with Mayor Oh at the Seoul Mayor's official residence that day and said, "It was difficult to reach agreement on the larger framework regarding housing supply, and differences of opinion were intense."
Currently, the government is considering supplying housing through limited provision of youth housing in Yongsan Park and easing regulations on Seoul's restricted development zone (greenbelt), but the Seoul Metropolitan Government is opposing it.
Rep. Kim said, “Regarding the provision of youth housing to Yongsan Park and Yongsan Maintenance Depot, the city of Seoul expressed strong opposition, citing various legal issues and traffic issues,” and added, “The city party proposed to keep all issues open and review them.”
He continued, “Mayor Oh proposed lifting the green belt in the Seoripul area in 2023, and a project was carried out, but we are taking a stance against the (additional) lifting of the green belt,” and added, “We raised criticism that we are being too self-centered and only engaging in self-politicking when citizens, including young people, are experiencing housing difficulties.”
He pointed out, "Mayor Oh seems to want to highlight that he is a politician with a valuable vision, saying, 'Greenbelt is not allowed' and 'We will not give up even 1 cm of Yongsan Park,'" and added, "Isn't the government being clever and making efforts to solve the housing crisis?"
At the same time, he said, “The government and the Democratic Party can help the city of Seoul with its needs only if the city shows cooperation with the government’s policies,” and “I urged Mayor Oh to change his proactive stance.”
The Seoul Metropolitan Government also issued a press release regarding the meeting on this day, saying, "We have made clear our existing position that we are opposed to using the main site of Yongsan Park for housing supply, on which the quality of life of citizens depends. We explained that it is difficult to even start construction within the current government's term as various administrative procedures and soil contamination cleanup require a considerable amount of time."
He continued, "Mayor Oh also emphasized the importance of prior consultation between the government and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. He explained that if we sufficiently consult with the Seoul Metropolitan Government before announcing a supply candidate site, we can review the actual supply possibility and expected problems of the site in advance and present a feasible alternative."
Regarding the criticism of the removal of the green belt in the Seoripul district, Mayor Oh responded by saying, "In response to the government's request to lift the green belt, Mayor Oh made clear the principle that only the already damaged areas will be reviewed limitedly, but that there will be no additional release for the sake of future generations."
Mayor Oh previously argued for a compromise to flexibly discuss housing supply for scattered sites such as the Camp Kim site near Yongsan Park, the Gyeongridan site, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs parking lot.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government explained, “There is no disagreement about the goal of expanding housing supply in Seoul,” and “Mayor Oh suggested (to Rep. Kim) that we should look for alternative sites together to create a practical supply effect.”
He added, “Seoul City is actively seeking alternative sites that can provide housing, such as the Tancheon Water Reclamation Center, even if it takes some time.”
Regarding this, Rep. Kim said, “People are living and working in accommodations such as the Gyeongridan site proposed as an alternative,” and added, “I asked if they were unilaterally suggesting it as an alternative when the prerequisites for development were not secured.”
However, Rep. Kim said, “(Mayor Oh) confirmed that there is sufficient room for discussion on regulatory issues such as redevelopment and reconstruction floor area ratio incentives,” and added, “Although he is the mayor of the opposition party, I told Mayor Oh that I am willing to cooperate on the budget and policies for the citizens of Seoul.”
He continued, “I said I would do my best to actively reflect the recommendations of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which are essential for the budget and policy, if they are sent to (the Seoul Metropolitan Government) by the middle of next month.”
Regarding the plan to use part of the Future Response Fund as a resource for housing housing for young people, he added, "The Seoul City Party plans to actively promote the use of excess tax revenue if it is for the benefit of citizens," and added, "Mayor Oh also greatly agreed and decided to actively discuss it."
Previously, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yun-deok also met with Mayor Oh on the 20th to discuss ways to use Yongsan Park for housing supply, but stopped short of confirming the difference in position.
