AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Cho Hyeon-mi
  • Oh Se-hoon Proposes Seoul Chance Housing Plan for Young People
    Oh Se-hoon Proposes 'Seoul Chance' Housing Plan for Young People Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, unveiled a housing plan on May 17 aimed at assisting young people without homes. At his campaign office in Gwancheol-dong, Seoul, Oh introduced the 'Seoul Home' initiative, which allows young individuals to purchase a home by paying just 20% of the price of a property valued at 1.2 billion won or less, the current median price for homes in Seoul. Under this plan, the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH) will buy the selected property and provide it to the applicants. Young buyers will only need to cover 20% of the home price, while SH will bear the remaining 80%. Although SH will hold 80% of the ownership, residents will have full control over all decisions regarding the property. When they sell the home, they will receive a return based on the market value proportional to their ownership stake. However, as this policy is intended for actual residents, subletting is not permitted. Approximately 300,000 households of young people without homes are eligible for this program, which aims to supply 2,000 units annually, totaling 8,000 units during Oh's term. Oh's campaign team explained that this pledge completes the 'Seoul Chance' housing policy, which includes previously announced initiatives such as 'Miri Home,' 'Baro Home,' 'Sasak Studio,' and 'Youth Safe Housing.' He stated, "We will provide a 'Seoul Chance' for young people who lack financial resources to take the first step toward homeownership instead of relying on parental support." Funding for this initiative will come from public contributions generated during urban planning processes. The core of this funding model is the 'pre-negotiation system,' which allows the government to recapture a portion of the profits from private developers who enhance the viability of large-scale projects through zoning changes. This system was first introduced by the Seoul city government in 2009 under Oh's first term and has accumulated over 10 trillion won in public contributions to date. Oh emphasized that since SH will own 80% of the housing shares, the related funds will continue to grow, creating a virtuous cycle that can assist other young people in need. In a separate matter, Oh addressed the issue of missing rebar in the GTX-A line at Samsung Station, stating, "I learned about this yesterday, and upon investigation, it was purely the fault of Hyundai Engineering & Construction." He denied allegations of a cover-up by the Democratic Party candidate Jeong Won-o. He added, "Hyundai Engineering has discussed corrective measures with experts, which will actually strengthen the structure. It seems that the Jeong campaign is feeling the pressure, as they are politicizing a simple mistake made by the construction company." 2026-05-17 12:45:56
  • Jung Won-oh Promises Housing Supply Expansion Focused on Business Viability
    Jung Won-oh Promises Housing Supply Expansion Focused on Business Viability Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul Mayor, announced on May 14 that he aims to enhance the viability of redevelopment and reconstruction projects to increase housing supply. Speaking at a forum hosted by the Korean Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association in the Seoul Chamber of Commerce, Jung emphasized, "We must concentrate all our efforts on expanding housing supply," adding that he would prioritize business viability over public interest to boost supply. He outlined plans to shorten redevelopment and reconstruction timelines and adjust the purchase prices for rental housing to stimulate the real estate market. Jung also mentioned initiatives to expand public housing options, including rental housing near transit stations and the low-cost dormitory pilot program currently operating in Seongdong-gu. Jung pledged to provide a total of 360,000 housing units by 2031, including 302,000 apartments from redevelopment projects, 10,000 permanent rental apartments, and 50,000 purchase rental units. Regarding the long-term capital gains tax exemption for homeowners, he stated, "I consistently believe in protecting the rights of one-household, one-homeowners," and promised to work closely with the government to ensure citizen rights are prioritized if he is elected. He also indicated that he would review whether to include financial and rental income earners in the temporary property tax reduction plan for homeowners without income, which he had promised the day before, after the local elections. Jung clarified, "The fundamental principle of this pledge is to support one-household, one-homeowners without employment or business income," and noted that details regarding age, inclusion of financial and rental income earners, and eligibility thresholds would be determined in consultation with experts and local governments after the election. Additionally, Jung announced a plan to develop 20 commercial districts into 'Second Seongsu' areas. Through the 'Seoul Brand Commercial District Development Project,' he aims to analyze foot traffic, sales trends, rental prices, and industry changes in each district to provide tailored growth strategies for small businesses. He plans to assign a commercial district growth manager to each area to assist with store operations, marketing, and expanding online sales channels. During a meeting with small business owners at a cafe in Jung-gu, Jung stated, "Just as we succeeded in Seongsu-dong, we will create similar commercial districts across 20 locations in Seoul," adding that the city would review and support plans developed collaboratively by residents and merchants in each district. Meanwhile, Jung reiterated his refusal to participate in a one-on-one debate as urged by his opponent, Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party. At the forum, he remarked, "During the People Power Party's primary, Oh said that TV debates are not everything and refused to debate," expressing discomfort with the inconsistency in his stance. He emphasized, "There are still two more debates and one joint debate left, so the number of debates is sufficient," and asserted the importance of engaging directly with citizens over participating in debates.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 19:43:52
  • Jung Won-oh Apologizes for Past Assault Incident
    Jung Won-oh Apologizes for Past Assault Incident Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, apologized on May 14 for a past assault incident, stating he would express his regrets again if necessary. After attending a forum hosted by the Korea Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association in Jung-gu, Seoul, Jung addressed claims from the victim's side that they had never received an apology. "It seems that due to the long passage of time, they may not have a clear memory of the event," he said. "I did apologize at the time, but I want to reiterate my feelings of regret and sorrow at any time." In response to assertions from the People Power Party that the background of the assault was not due to political differences, based on records from the Yangcheon District Council, Jung stated, "I do not believe that statements from council members in the records hold more weight than a ruling from an official court in South Korea. Even if we check the five journalists who reported on the incident at the time, the reasons for the dispute are clear." He added, "Once again, I deeply apologize for the past, regardless of the reasons, and I feel sorry for the distress caused." On May 13, Kim Jae-seop, a member of the People Power Party, claimed that the 1995 assault incident involving Jung occurred after he demanded that a cafe owner allow a female employee to stay overnight, which was denied. This contradicts Jung's explanation that the altercation stemmed from political differences. On the same day, fellow party member Joo Jin-woo released audio recordings purportedly from the assault victim, who stated, "I have no memory of any arguments related to the May 18 incident or of receiving an apology afterward."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 14:32:26
  • Jung Won-oh Denies Assault Allegations, Accuses Opponents of Fabrication
    Jung Won-oh Denies Assault Allegations, Accuses Opponents of Fabrication Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul Mayor, stated that a 31-year-old assault case is indeed related to the May 18 Democratic Uprising, asserting, "This is also reflected in the court ruling." He announced plans to respond legally against the People Power Party, which has raised allegations of false explanations regarding the incident. Speaking at a forum hosted by the Editors' Association in Seoul's Jung-gu on the morning of May 14, Jung claimed that the repeated disclosures by the People Power Party regarding the assault case are inaccurate. In response to related questions, he stated, "The claims made by Kim Jae-seop (of the People Power Party) are false and fabricated," adding, "This is clear from the court ruling and the articles that were reported at the time." The court ruling indicated that Jung assaulted a secretary of a National Assembly member from the Democratic Liberal Party during a dispute over the punishment of those involved in the June 27 elections and the May 18 incident while he was serving as a secretary to the Yangcheon District Mayor in 1995. Jung challenged, "Please consider whether the unilateral claims of a member of the Minjoo Party, as recorded in the Yangcheon Council minutes, hold more weight than the court ruling," asserting, "While I understand what the People Power Party aims to achieve through manipulation, what awaits them is the judgment of the law." He continued, "The Democratic Party filed a complaint the previous day for violations of election law based on false facts, and the truth will be revealed clearly in the future." However, he refrained from commenting on whether he had apologized to the victim of the incident, stating only, "The campaign will respond to various claims at a press conference today." Earlier, on May 13, Kim Jae-seop of the People Power Party claimed, based on the Yangcheon Council minutes, that the 1995 assault incident involving Jung occurred after he demanded that a female employee of a café stay overnight and was refused, contradicting Jung's assertion that it was a dispute stemming from political differences. While Jung remained silent throughout the day, his campaign office released clarifications citing media reports and court rulings from that time, denying the allegations. On the same day, Joo Jin-woo, a member of the People Power Party, released audio recordings purportedly from the victim of the assault. The individual in the recording stated, "I have no memory of any argument related to May 18 or receiving an apology afterward."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 13:00:14
  • Jung Won-oh Registers as Candidate for Seoul Mayor, Promises Administrative Efficiency
    Jung Won-oh Registers as Candidate for Seoul Mayor, Promises Administrative Efficiency Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party candidate for the Seoul mayoral election, completed his candidate registration on May 14. He announced that he registered through a representative at the Seoul Election Commission in Jongno District that morning. After the registration, Jung posted on Facebook, stating, "While I wrote 'Jung Won-oh' on the documents, I believe I wrote it on behalf of the 9.3 million citizens of Seoul." He emphasized the need for a change in the mayor of Seoul to align with the Lee Jae-myung administration. Jung said, "To ensure that the capable Lee Jae-myung administration can work effectively with local governments, we must replace the local government's capabilities." Drawing from his achievements as the head of Seongdong District, he expressed his commitment to transforming Seoul. Jung stated, "I will carry forward the achievements of Seongdong, which created a sense of administrative efficiency for citizens, into changes for Seoul. I will judge the incompetence of Oh Se-hoon’s decade-long administration, which ended up being a mere flash in the pan, and alleviate the citizens' fatigue."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 11:37:06
  • Upcoming Local Elections in South Korea: Key Races and Trends
    Upcoming Local Elections in South Korea: Key Races and Trends The nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3 are just 20 days away. This election, marking the one-year anniversary of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, is taking on a critical evaluation role as recent polling indicates a competitive landscape, particularly in Seoul and the Yeongnam region, challenging the narrative of a decisive victory for the ruling party. The convergence of conservative voter mobilization and pressing issues like real estate has stalled the ruling party's momentum. According to political sources on May 14, the gap in support between Democratic Party candidate Jeong Won-o and People Power Party candidate Oh Se-hoon in the Seoul mayoral race has significantly narrowed this month. A poll conducted by Gallup Korea, commissioned by News1, surveyed 802 Seoul voters from May 9 to 10, revealing Jeong at 46% and Oh at 38%, an 8 percentage point difference. Just a month ago, the gap was in double digits, but it has now fallen to single digits. A previous poll commissioned by the Segye Ilbo and conducted by Gallup Korea from April 10 to 11 showed a 15 percentage point lead for the two candidates in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup (conducted via mobile phone interviews with a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of ±3.5%). In Daegu, often considered a conservative stronghold, as well as in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (PK), candidates from both parties are in a tight race within the margin of error. A poll conducted by Metavoice and Research App, commissioned by JTBC, surveyed 804 Daegu voters from May 5 to 6, showing Democratic Party candidate Kim Boo-kyum at 40% and People Power Party candidate Choo Kyung-ho at 41%. Initially, the ruling party had a significant lead, but backlash from conservative voters against the so-called 'manipulated prosecution special investigation' has led to a tightening of the race. The situation in Jeollabuk-do, a traditional Democratic Party stronghold, is also unpredictable. A survey conducted by JoWon C&I, commissioned by News1's Jeollabuk-do bureau, from May 9 to 10, showed independent candidate Kim Kwan-young at 43.2% and Democratic Party candidate Lee Won-taek at 39.7%. Experts suggest that while the ruling party appears to have an advantage, it is not a guarantee of victory. Political analyst Lee Jong-hoon stated, "Although President Yoon's approval ratings are high, making it a challenging election for the People Power Party, issues such as real estate and candidate unification could play a significant role." Shin Yul, a professor of political science at Myongji University, noted, "If a People Power Party candidate wins even one symbolic area like Seoul or Busan, it will be difficult for the ruling party to claim victory." The News1 and Gallup Korea polls were conducted via mobile phone interviews with an 11.0% response rate and a margin of error of ±3.5% at a 95% confidence level. The JTBC, Metavoice, and Research App poll had an 11.3% response rate with a margin of error of ±3.5% at a 95% confidence level. The News1 Jeollabuk-do and JoWon C&I poll was conducted using an automated response method with a 14.8% response rate and a margin of error of ±3.1% at a 95% confidence level. For detailed information on each poll, please refer to the Central Election Poll Survey Deliberation Committee's website. 2026-05-14 06:07:42
  • Seoul Mayoral Candidates Focus on AI and Housing Issues
    Seoul Mayoral Candidates Focus on AI and Housing Issues In the lead-up to the June 3 Seoul mayoral election, Jung Won-o of the Democratic Party unveiled AI-related policy proposals on May 11, aiming to capture the support of young and moderate voters. Meanwhile, Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party focused on housing supply, a key issue in the election, to dominate the real estate narrative. Jung announced his 'AI G2 (Global 2nd City) Seoul' initiative on his social media, following a visit to LG's AI research center in Magok-dong, where he observed a demonstration of large-scale AI technology and held a policy meeting. This initiative follows his announcement on May 8 to develop Yongsan into a 'Global AI Governance Hub' for discussions on AI diplomacy, safety, ethics, and international standards. Jung also pledged to transform the relatively underdeveloped Guro and Gasan Digital Complex into a center for physical AI demonstration economies. He aims to connect AI research capabilities in Yangjae with the industrial base in Guro and Gasan to establish a 'Seoul-style physical AI ecosystem' that operates in real-world industrial settings. The city plans to become the first customer for AI companies, expanding projects to develop and test related services. It will also operate a hands-on AI academy for youth and middle-aged individuals to support job creation and industrial transition. AI will also be utilized for citizen safety and administration. Plans include safety AI to address stalking and nighttime risks, disaster AI to predict flooding and fires, and small business AI to assist with sales, inventory, and customer service. The city aims to establish a direct AI complaint system and an AI administrative support platform to better identify and respond to citizen issues. Jung stated, "For South Korea to lead in the global AI competition, the entire city must become an innovation platform. We will set global AI standards in Yongsan and create jobs and business growth in Guro and Gasan to usher in the AI G2 era." Oh, on the other hand, focused on addressing public concerns about real estate. He held a press conference for the 'Citizens' Countermeasure Meeting on Real Estate Hell' in Gaebong-dong, Guro-gu, and later convened a meeting with representatives from various urban planning and redevelopment associations in Jongno-gu. At the press conference, Oh highlighted issues such as the surge in jeonse (long-term lease) prices, rising monthly rents, increased property taxes, and lending restrictions, stating, "Both homeowners and those without homes are deeply concerned. All Seoul citizens are expressing their pain." He attributed the 'real estate hell' to the failures of the Lee Jae-myung administration's housing policies, asserting, "Many voters are desperately seeking solutions, and I will actively listen to the voices of residents across Seoul, especially the youth." Meanwhile, the two candidates continued their back-and-forth over the possibility of a one-on-one debate. Oh pressed Jung, stating, "A multi-candidate debate is scheduled by the election commission, but I propose a one-on-one debate on Seoul's various policies." In response to Jung's criticism that Oh had previously rejected debate proposals during the People Power Party's primary, Oh argued, "At that time, the other candidates had not yet formulated their pledges." He insisted that Jung should not use the past as an excuse to avoid a one-on-one debate, adding, "Now that both of us have put forth our pledges, it is our duty and responsibility to debate." Jung, appearing on CBS Radio's 'Park Seong-tae's News Show,' referenced the earlier primary debate and stated, "Changing one's stance based on the situation leads to a loss of trust," effectively signaling his refusal to participate in a one-on-one debate.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-12 04:08:23
  • Seoul Mayoral Candidates Unveil Pet and Transportation Policies
    Seoul Mayoral Candidates Unveil Pet and Transportation Policies Seoul mayoral candidates Jung Won-oh of the Democratic Party and Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party each unveiled their respective policies on pets and transportation on May 10, aiming to capture voter attention during the holiday period. Jung announced his "Happy Pet Family Seoul" pledge on his Facebook page in the morning and later visited a pet training and stray dog shelter at the Gyeongdong Market to hear from the community. The core of his proposal is to establish a welfare system for pets that covers everything from adoption to care, medical treatment, and burial. As part of this initiative, he plans to gradually implement a "standard veterinary fee system" to reduce the financial burden of pet medical expenses. Jung stated, "Excessive medical costs lead to abandonment and anxiety in pet ownership," adding, "We will create an environment where pet owners can care for their animals with transparency and predictability in costs." The Seoul Animal Welfare Support Center will be expanded into a central hub for animal welfare, assisting with reporting, rescue, care, medical treatment, adoption, and relocation of stray and lost animals. Plans are in place to establish public pet boarding facilities and dog parks in all 25 districts. Jung emphasized, "We will create a new standard for coexistence and respect between pet owners and non-pet owners in Seoul." Oh Se-hoon, on the same day, announced his transportation policy at his campaign office in Gwancheol-dong, focusing on enhancing transportation infrastructure in northeastern, northwestern, and southwestern Seoul, as well as integrating the climate card and expanding its application. Oh pledged to invest 20.8 trillion won to focus on "connecting transportation arteries." He aims to expedite the completion of seven urban rail lines, including the Gangbuk Cross-Line, Myeonmok Line, Western Line, Mokdong Line, Nankok Line, Uiwisinsel Extension Line, and the Northeast Line. Funding will come from public contributions and revenue from the sale of public land through the "Gangbuk Renaissance Fund." This fall, he plans to introduce the "Seoul Climate Companion Pass," which will integrate the climate card created during his previous term with the government’s K-Pass. This pass will expand its usage to include the GTX-A and the Seoul section of the Shinbundang Line, and extend eligibility for young people up to 42 years old. Citizens aged 70 and above who use public transport fewer than 15 times a month will receive a 100% subsidy for transportation costs. Additionally, a wireless communication-based train interval maintenance system will be introduced to efficiently reduce subway wait times, and the number of autonomous express buses and late-night buses will be significantly increased, starting with a service at 3:30 a.m. Oh stated, "Transportation is one of the most important policies related to the quality of life for Seoul citizens, alongside housing," and assured that he would ensure a solid financial plan so that citizens would not worry about feasibility. Meanwhile, Oh reiterated his call for a one-on-one debate with Jung. After his policy announcement, Oh told reporters, "It is unfortunate that Jung has declined to participate in the one-on-one debate scheduled for May 11 following the Kwanhun Debate." He added, "We need an opportunity to discuss housing supply, price stabilization, and the real estate issues stemming from the Lee Jae-myung administration's loan regulations and tax increases, and to show this to the citizens."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 02:58:34
  • Seoul mayoral candidates clash on transit: card merger vs. free bus fares for 70+
    Seoul mayoral candidates clash on transit: card merger vs. free bus fares for 70+ Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, on May 7 proposed expanding rail service in northern Seoul and merging the city’s Climate Companion Card with the government’s K-Pass. Rival candidate Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party said savings from a merger should be used to subsidize bus fares for residents 70 and older. Jung announced the plan at the National Assembly press center as part of his “30-minute commute” pledge. His proposals include building a new Dongbu Line linking Suyu-dong in northern Seoul with the Sports Complex in Gangnam, expanding rail networks in the north, creating a grid-style rail system across Seoul, and setting up an express-bus transfer hub at the Man-nam Square area in Yangjae-dong. “We will connect Seoul’s rail lines more tightly and link roads without bottlenecks, tying Gangbuk and Gangnam together and starting a transportation revolution toward a 30-minute commute city,” Jung said. He also pledged to create a nationwide transit card by integrating Seoul’s Climate Companion Card with the government’s “Everyone’s Card” (K-Pass), under the name “K-Everyone’s Climate Companion Card,” to reduce the burden of public transportation costs. Jung said the existing Climate Companion Card benefits would be maintained while expanding the usable area nationwide, adding that he would build a system in which benefits increase with heavier use. Oh raised the issue of merging the Climate Companion Card while presenting housing pledges earlier May 7, outlining how he would use the savings. Oh, who introduced the Climate Companion Card during his time as Seoul mayor, said the Lee Jae-myung government rolled out a card using the same system, forcing residents to weigh which card offers better value. After reviewing whether the two needed to coexist, he said, he concluded they should be integrated to spare residents that inconvenience. Oh said a merger would cut Seoul’s budget and free up 70 billion won to as much as more than 100 billion won, which he plans to use to support bus fares for seniors 70 and older. He said he would announce details soon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 14:52:29
  • Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon vows faster redevelopment, expanded relocation loans
    Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon vows faster redevelopment, expanded relocation loans Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor, said May 7 he would introduce a “fast-track integrated” system and expand the city’s tailored consulting service known as “Shintong 120” to cut redevelopment and reconstruction timelines to within 10 years and broaden relocation-loan support for cooperative members. Oh announced the housing pledges at a rooftop event at the Shilla Building in the Daerim 1 redevelopment area in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo District. The plan followed his previous day’s pledge to supply 130,000 public housing units. Oh said he has long pursued what he called a “supply-first” strategy and argued that speeding up stalled supply is key. He pledged to start construction on a total of 310,000 housing units by 2031, saying a chain of moves from older apartments and villas into newly built apartments would create a virtuous cycle in housing supply. Of the groundbreaking target, 87,000 units would be net new supply, his campaign said. It said that figure is well above the 32,000 units the Lee Jae-myung government said it would start by 2030 under its Jan. 29 measures. The pledges focus on shortening project timelines by building on the “rapid integrated planning” approach introduced during Oh’s time as mayor. Under the proposed fast-track integrated system, organizers would skip forming a redevelopment cooperative promotion committee and process project implementation approval and the management-and-disposition plan approval at the same time. Oh said the city would also provide guidelines so building plans and cost-sharing can be set while the two plans proceed in parallel. Oh said Shintong 120, a unified phone-consultation platform, would provide guidance on land status and applicable development options to reduce confusion. He also pledged to introduce “Shintong AI Planning,” using artificial intelligence to prevent repeated rejections during review. In areas where private-sector 추진 is not smooth, he said the Seoul Housing & Communities Corp. (SH) would lead a “public rapid integrated” program. Oh also pledged support for cooperative members struggling to relocate amid government lending restrictions. He said Seoul would significantly expand its housing promotion fund, financed by subscription-savings resources, to increase loans for relocating households and help projects break ground sooner. Oh continued sharp criticism of Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party’s Seoul mayoral candidate. “The housing type Seoul citizens prefer most is newly built apartments,” Oh said, calling Jung’s proposal to supply villas and residential-style lodging facilities an idea that ignores market principles. He added that the Democratic Party has been hostile to redevelopment and reconstruction and “still is,” in his view. Responding to Jung’s criticism that housing supply fell sharply during Oh’s time as mayor, Oh said it misleads voters. “Construction is done by the private sector, and Seoul’s role is to create the business environment through swift permitting,” Oh said. He added that Jung, having served as a district mayor for more than 10 years, should know that, and said portraying an opponent as if he did not deliver housing supply is misleading and “not conscientious.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 13:06:15