Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party attended a cabinet meeting today (the 14th) for the first time since the local elections. He attempted to make public remarks regarding real estate policy, but Prime Minister Han Seong-sook did not grant him the opportunity to speak, leading to the attempt being unsuccessful.

At today's cabinet meeting, presided over by President Lee Jae-myung, a ministerial report and discussion were held under the theme of "Plan to Collect Public Opinion on Real Estate Policy."

Toward the end of the discussion, Mayor Oh requested to speak, asking, "Prime Minister, may I, the Mayor of Seoul, say a few words?"

During the recent local election campaign, Mayor Oh had publicly promised that if elected, he would attend cabinet meetings to convey public sentiment on real estate to President Lee and propose policy recommendations.

However, Prime Minister Han stated, "A grand public debate is scheduled regarding this matter. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will hold a discussion on supply issues on the 14th, the Financial Services Commission on the 15th regarding finance, and the Ministry of Finance and Economy on the 16th regarding tax policy." She added, "It would be better to defer (discussions related to this matter to those sessions)."

She then said, "We will receive any opinions the Mayor (Oh Se-hoon) may have in writing," and did not grant him the opportunity for public remarks.

In response, Mayor Oh stated that he had already delivered the report prepared by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Koo Yoon-cheol, and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-duck, adding, "Since it seems I will not be given a chance to speak today, I will substitute it with that report."

President Lee then requested, "When you submit that report, please include a status report on how reconstruction and redevelopment projects in Seoul are currently progressing, and why there is such a severe shortage of supply."

Mayor Oh briefly replied, "It is (included in the report)."

(Photo: Yonhap News)