▲ Rep. Kim Young-bae, head of the Democratic Party's Seoul Metropolitan Chapter, responds to reporters' questions on the 22nd at the National Assembly Communication Hall after briefing them on his meeting with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.
The Democratic Party's Seoul Metropolitan Chapter held a party-government meeting with DP-affiliated district heads from Seoul at the Seoul Chapter office in Yeouido today (the 27th) to discuss solutions for the real estate issue, which is the most pressing pending matter.
It is reported that lawmakers, including Seoul Chapter Chief Rep. Kim, and the district heads gathered opinions centered around prompt supply measures today.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Rep. Kim said, "Over the past 15 years, Seoul's population has decreased by 1 million, from 10.3 million to 9.3 million, while single- and two-person households have come to account for over 67%." He added, "It is time to implement proper urban planning, including resolving the housing difficulties of the younger generation."
He then emphasized, "At this point, the two principles of housing supply are affordability and maximum speed."
Rep. Kim stated, "Regarding urban planning authority related to small-scale maintenance projects and local developments of 500 or 300 households or fewer, we should also discuss delegating the authority excessively held by the Mayor of Seoul to autonomous districts." He added, "Let us also review the status of housing sites that can supply homes within a short period."
Rep. Kim expressed a negative view on Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's proposal made the previous day during a meeting with Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-duck to create a "southeastern youth-specialized industrial complex" including a youth housing complex on the site of the Tancheon Water Reclamation Center in Gangnam-gu.
Rep. Kim pointed out, "Only absurd political claims that may or may not be implementable 10 years from now are running rampant," criticizing it as "opposition for the sake of opposition."
This was a criticism of Mayor Oh, who maintains his stance of refusing to accept the government and ruling party's plan to utilize Yongsan Park for housing supply.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party indicated that it could cooperate with Mayor Oh if a consensus is formed on housing supply.
Rep. Oh Gi-hyung said, "In the case of the key money and monthly rent difficulties or the housing supply issue, if there is anything appropriate raised by Mayor Oh, we intend to actively accept and resolve it." He added, "If there are places where supply regulations can be lifted right away from the perspective of citizens, we must actively discuss alternatives."
Rep. Oh stated, "Housing starts and approvals were drastically reduced from 2022 to 2024, leading to a predicted supply shortage for two to three years starting in 2026, of which 10% is public and 90% is private," adding, "Basically, supply must be centered around the private sector."
He further noted, "Shouldn't we also find things that the public sector can do with a sense of speed?" and added, "It was said that the private sector is the absolute commissioner, but hasn't the role of the public been largely neglected?"
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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