Lawmakers representing Seoul from the Democratic Party of Korea have agreed to join forces with the Seoul Metropolitan Council to accelerate housing supply.

The DPK's Seoul chapter held a "real estate policy response meeting" with Seoul Metropolitan Council members belonging to the DPK at the Seoul Metropolitan Council today (the 13th).

This gathering comes six days after their National Assembly meeting on the 6th.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Representative Kim Young-bae (Seongbuk-gap) stated, "We have gathered opinions to make every effort and focus on speeding up the process, including identifying appropriate sites and the so-called licensing procedures moving forward."

Representative Kim presented "speed, tangible impact, and balance" as key watchwords.

"I think speed is especially important, and tangible impact is also important," Kim said, adding, "No matter how much is supplied, it is of little use if it cannot be utilized by the people who need it."

He also explained, "Balance is very important," and noted, "We will carefully consider the balance between apartments and non-apartments, across generations, and between homeowners and non-homeowners."

Regarding the real estate tax system revision plan, he mentioned that there were various opinions on issues such as non-resident single-home ownership, potential future lease market issues, and financial matters, adding that discussions will continue after reviewing the government's upcoming supply plans and comprehensive financial measures.

Representative Oh Gi-hyung (Dobong-eul) emphasized the proactive role of the public sector, stating, "We need to play a more active role in resolving bottlenecks related to supply, such as utilizing publicly owned land and financial resources, or accelerating previously pursued projects like public complex development in a prompt manner."

Representative Oh also proposed a plan to utilize additional tax revenues, suggesting, "Whether it is 10 trillion won or 20 trillion won, shouldn't [additional tax revenues] be used for housing welfare and housing stability? This should be discussed in the National Assembly hereafter."

During the meeting, strong criticisms attributing the housing shortage in the Seoul area to Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon were also raised.

Representative Kim criticized, "When citizens complain that supply is lacking, [the city administration] is busy shifting the blame, saying 'it's all the former mayor's fault.' Seeing Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's brazen and shifting-the-blame attitude, I cannot help but feel disappointed."

Representative Kim Nam-geun (Seongbuk-eul) told reporters after the meeting, "There were criticisms that Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has been so absorbed in building his political achievements, such as his political brand 'Rapid Integrated Planning,' that administrative power has not been focused on areas closely related to housing supply, such as district designation, establishment of associations, project implementation planning, and commencement of construction."

He further emphasized, "[Mayor Oh] claimed that the public sector is inefficient, effectively blocking public redevelopment and public downtown complex development projects that were heavily designated near the end of the Moon Jae-in administration," adding, "The Seoul Metropolitan Council will actively play a role in monitoring and checking attempts to resolve housing issues through political strife."

Calls were also raised to transfer the housing licensing authority held by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to autonomous districts in relation to real estate supply.

Representative Kim Young-bae said, "Strengthening local autonomy is the direction of the national agenda under the Lee Jae-myung administration," adding, "There was a request to transfer some of the licensing authority held by Seoul to autonomous districts to match on-the-ground demand."

Representative Kim Nam-geun added, "There was a discussion to transfer administrative authorities such as district designation to autonomous districts for housing complexes with fewer than 300 or 500 households."

(Photo: Yonhap News)