Land Minister: 'Confirmed Differences in Stance with Oh Se-hoon on Yongsan Park; Will Meet Next Week to Resolve Them'

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-deok stated today (the 20th) that he met with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to discuss plans to utilize Yongsan Park for housing supply, but confirmed differences in their stances.

Following their meeting near Seoul City Hall this morning, Minister Kim told reporters, "Mayor Oh and I exchanged many views on housing issues," adding, "We confirmed our differing positions and agreed to meet again next week to continue discussions."

He explained, "The key issues are the deliberative discussion process regarding supplying part of Yongsan Park as housing for young people, newlywed couples, and multi-child households, as well as attitudes and thoughts on changing the law," and noted, "The differences in our views on this were clear."

"Mayor Oh is fundamentally opposed, while I am in favor," he conveyed.

Minister Kim asked reporters, "Have your misunderstandings been cleared up? You don't think we are demolishing the entire Yongsan Park to build homes, do you?" He then elaborated, "Our plan is to supply housing restrictively for young people and newlyweds in areas that have already been damaged. Preserving Yongsan Park well and supplying housing for young people and newlyweds are not mutually exclusive, and we want to find a way where both can coexist."

At the same time, he stated, "I actively agree with the overarching principle that Yongsan Park must be preserved," adding, "The public deliberation method could involve holding debates or forming a public deliberation committee. We will proceed through a deliberation process, and the target sites will naturally be brought to the table during that process."

Minister Kim added, "Although we accurately confirmed our differences in stance today, we will meet next week to sort things out," and remarked, "It would be nice if everything could be decided immediately, but it doesn't work that way."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.