Representative Kim Young-bae, head of the Democratic Party's Seoul chapter, announced that he met with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon today to discuss plans for housing supply utilizing the Yongsan Park site, but failed to narrow their differences.

Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly after a luncheon meeting with Mayor Oh at the Seoul Mayor's official residence, Representative Kim stated, "It was difficult to reach a broad agreement regarding housing supply, and sharp disagreements persisted."

Currently, the government is reviewing plans to supply housing through limited youth housing provisions in Yongsan Park and relaxing regulations on Seoul's greenbelts, which the Seoul Metropolitan Government opposes.

Representative Kim said, "Regarding the supply of youth housing in Yongsan Park and the Yongsan Maintenance Depot, the Seoul Metropolitan Government strongly expressed opposition, citing various legal and traffic issues," adding, "The city chapter proposed reviewing all issues with an open mind."

He continued, "Mayor Oh previously proposed lifting greenbelt restrictions in the Seoripul area in 2023, allowing the project to proceed, yet he now maintains a stance against additional greenbelt releases," and added, "I raised criticisms asking whether he is engaging in self-centered politics while young people and other citizens suffer from housing hardships."

He pointed out, "It seems Mayor Oh wants to highlight himself as a politician with valuable visions by declaring that 'greenbelts are out of the question' and 'not a single centimeter of Yongsan Park can be compromised,'" asking, "Can't you see the government's desperate efforts to resolve the housing crisis?"

He further stated, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government must show a cooperative attitude toward government policies so that the government and the Democratic Party can also assist Seoul with what it needs," urging "Mayor Oh to make a forward-looking shift in his attitude."

Regarding Mayor Oh's proposal of developing scattered sites nearby rather than the main body of Yongsan Park as a compromise, Representative Kim noted, "The accommodations such as the Gyeongridan site proposed as alternatives are currently occupied by residents and workers. I pointed out that it is inappropriate to unilaterally propose alternatives when the preconditions for development have not been secured."

However, Representative Kim added, "Mayor Oh confirmed that there is ample room for consultation on regulatory alignment issues, such as floor area ratio incentives for redevelopment and reconstruction," and noted, "I told Mayor Oh that although he is an opposition-affiliated mayor, we are willing to cooperate on budgets and policies for the citizens of Seoul."

He went on to say, "I told him that if Seoul sends its essential budget and policy requests to the city chapter by mid-next month, we will do our best to actively reflect them."

Regarding the plan to utilize part of the Future Response Fund as a funding source for youth housing, Representative Kim added, "The Seoul city chapter intends to actively pursue the utilization of surplus tax revenues if it is for the citizens," and added, "Mayor Oh also largely agreed, and we decided to discuss it actively."

Previously, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-duk also met with Mayor Oh the day before yesterday to discuss plans to use Yongsan Park for housing supply, but they only confirmed their differences in stance.

(Photo: Yonhap News)