The Democratic Party held a "Seoul Budget and Policy Consultation Meeting" at the National Assembly today (September 29) and stated that it is willing to cooperate with Seoul Mayor Oh Sehun to improve the lives of Seoul citizens.

At today's meeting, Leader Kim Min-seok said, "The Democratic Party's stance is not to unconditionally oppose or complicate Mayor Oh Sehun's administration, but to take a mature position and attitude to help where necessary on the side of citizens."

Leader Kim emphasized, "Rather than viewing Seoul's issues from the perspective of winning or losing in elections, it is right to view them from the perspective of responsibility regarding citizens' lives," adding, "I have mentioned several times that we must engage in critical cooperation."

He continued, "Regarding the Gwanghwamun Square structure ('Light of Gratitude') that sparked controversy during the mayoral election, it cannot be demolished again even if there are changes in the Seoul city administration in the future," explaining, "It is our party's mature stance to view it from the perspective of how to put it to good use."

Leader Kim also said, "I took a walk around Yongsan Children's Park during the holiday," adding, "I had previously asked for discussions on housing construction, but it was a place that made me think, 'We must approach this very carefully.'"

Previously, the government expressed a position that housing could be supplied on part of the main site of Yongsan Park, but Mayor Oh opposed it, saying, "I cannot concede even 1 centimeter."

He said, "It is very burdensome for us, and we believe it causes inconvenience to citizens, that the Seoul Mayor is currently in a political environment where it is difficult to focus on municipal administration," adding, "Especially when the administration is unstable, it is even more right to act this way."

This pointed to the situation where Mayor Oh was convicted in the first trial on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.

Representative Kim Young-bae, head of the Democratic Party's Seoul chapter, said, "We organized and proposed 12 budget and policy recommendations to the party leadership," adding, "About five of Mayor Oh's requests are also included."

He said, "Mayor Oh's proposal requested support for labor inspectors, maintenance of sewage pipes to prevent ground subsidence, support for improving urban railway facilities such as aging escalators, and strengthened support for integrated care," adding, "We received a letter from Mayor Oh and reflected it in the recommendations."

Representative Kim added, "The core discussion today was to supply the largest possible volume of housing for youth and newlyweds as soon as possible," and "We also proposed exemptions from preliminary feasibility studies for urban railways and support for children's meals and snacks."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party also held the "Gyeongnam Budget and Policy Consultation Meeting" at the National Assembly this afternoon.

Leader Kim said, "It seems like the right time for us to focus our efforts so that Gyeongnam can make a strategic leap in physical AI, manufacturing AI, aerospace, small modular reactors (SMR), and defense industries," adding, "We must also look after transportation and logistics infrastructure."

Floor Leader Han Byung-do promised, "We will open up the transportation artery of the southeastern region by swiftly pursuing the Geoje-Tongyeong Expressway and the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit," adding, "We will firmly secure Gyeongnam's future growth engine by supporting manufacturing convergence software development."

(Photo: Yonhap News)