Journalist

HYE YOUNG KO
  • Controversy Over Villa Supply in Seongdong District Amid Low Proportion
    Controversy Over Villa Supply in Seongdong District Amid Low Proportion Jung Won-o, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, has raised concerns about villa supply as part of his real estate policy. However, statistics reveal that the proportion of villas in Seongdong District, where he served as district chief for 12 years, is among the lowest in Seoul. In contrast, the proportion of apartments in Seongdong District exceeds the city average significantly. According to analysis from the National Statistical Office obtained by Aju Economy, as of 2024, the proportion of multi-family and villa units in Seongdong District stands at 9.9%, the second lowest after Nowon District at 8.8%. This figure is less than half of the Seoul average of 21.4%. Other districts with low villa proportions include Yeongdeungpo (10.0%), Dongdaemun (12.4%), and Gangnam (14.3%). Conversely, the proportion of apartments in Seongdong District is 54.0%, significantly higher than the Seoul average of 44.4%. Only seven of the 25 districts in Seoul have apartment proportions exceeding 50%. Nowon District leads with 78.4%, followed by Gangnam (62.2%), Seocho (58.1%), and then Seongdong. Other districts with high apartment proportions include Gangdong (50.3%) and Songpa (50.1%). In response, a representative from Oh Se-hoon’s camp criticized Jung, stating, "The 9.9% villa proportion in Seongdong District indicates a lack of available land for new villas or that existing low-rise residential areas have already been redeveloped into apartments. Jung is completely unaware of the realities in Seongdong District when discussing villa supply." The representative also pointed out that the surge in housing prices in Seongdong District is linked to the low villa proportion and high apartment ratio. Previously, Jung had identified villa supply as a key component of his real estate strategy. During a meeting with Seoul's district mayor candidates on May 4, he challenged Oh, asking, "Why didn’t you prepare for the soaring rents during your five years in office?" He noted that issues related to apartment redevelopment and reconstruction take 10 to 15 years, which he partially agreed was not solely his responsibility. Jung added, "The rental issue can be addressed within 2 to 3 years through supply via villas, officetels, and residential-type lodging facilities." Meanwhile, Oh also responded to Jung's comments on villa supply. On the previous day, he appeared on BBS Buddhist Broadcasting's "Kim Tae-seop’s Morning Journal" and remarked, "If Jung becomes mayor for four years, he will focus on villas since apartments take a long time to develop. However, villas are constructed by the private sector, not the city."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-08 17:54:39
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Calls Oppositions Special Prosecutor Proposal Unconstitutional
    Jang Dong-hyuk Calls Opposition's Special Prosecutor Proposal Unconstitutional Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, criticized the opposition's proposed "manipulated prosecution special prosecutor" as "unconstitutional and illegal." Speaking at a press conference hosted by the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club in central Seoul on May 8, Jang stated, "The special prosecutor appointed by President Lee Jae-myung would have the authority to dismiss charges against the president, ultimately aiming to eliminate the trial of the president altogether." He added, "This directly contradicts the fundamental principle of the rule of law that states 'no one can be a judge in their own case' and the constitutional spirit that 'all citizens are equal before the law.' Such a special prosecutor is unimaginable in a country that adopts liberal democracy and the rule of law." Jang also expressed concerns regarding the foreign and security policies of the Lee Jae-myung government. He remarked, "I have significant concerns about the foreign and security policies of the Lee administration," noting that the current policies differ considerably from those of past progressive governments. He pointed out that President Lee referred to U.S. Forces Korea as a "foreign military" and is hastily pushing for the transfer of wartime operational control. "Many South Koreans are worried that this policy direction is aimed at the withdrawal of U.S. Forces Korea," he said. Jang urged a shift in the government's foreign and security policy. He emphasized, "The People Power Party firmly believes in strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance and adopting 'peace through strength' as the cornerstone of our foreign and security policy. I hope the government will change its policy direction now to prioritize national interests and the well-being of the people."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-08 16:09:05
  • Seoul Mayoral Candidates Clash Over Opening of Garden of Gratitude
    Seoul Mayoral Candidates Clash Over Opening of 'Garden of Gratitude' The opening of the 'Garden of Gratitude' scheduled for May 12 has sparked a heated exchange between Seoul mayoral candidates Oh Se-hoon and Jung Won-o. According to a report by Aju Economy on May 8, Oh Se-hoon, the candidate from the People Power Party, plans to attend the opening ceremony for the Garden of Gratitude. Meanwhile, Jung Won-o's camp from the Democratic Party is calling for the ceremony to be halted through a series of one-person protests by its members. Following protests by lawmakers Go Min-jeong and Yoon Geon-young the previous day, lawmaker Chae Hyun-il joined the protest on May 8. Lawmakers Lee Hae-sik and Kim Nam-geun are scheduled to protest on May 9 and 10, respectively, while Park Min-kyu and Lee Joo-hee will continue the protests on May 11, the day before the opening. On May 7, Jung Won-o's campaign group, the 'Oh Se-hoon 10-Year Judgment Headquarters,' held a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, stating, "This is a rushed administration entangled with allegations of favoritism, waste of taxpayer money, and disregard for procedures. An audit should take precedence over the opening." Jung's camp argues that the Garden of Gratitude is a hastily conceived project that shifted direction after plans for a flagpole installation were scrapped. They claim that necessary procedures, such as the local financial investment review and the required economic feasibility analysis, were not completed during the project's advancement. Oh Se-hoon plans to respond during the opening ceremony. A spokesperson for his campaign stated, "As the election approaches, they are maliciously trying to find faults. The issues regarding the procedures for the Garden of Gratitude can be resolved with improvements." On the same day, after announcing care pledges at the Eunpyeong Center of the Seoul Digital Companion Plaza, Oh remarked to reporters, "The Garden of Gratitude is nearly complete. The Seoul city government has repeatedly stated that Gwanghwamun Square is a national symbolic space. It is essential to install symbolic sculptures in such a space."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-08 15:56:43
  • Han Dong-hoon Requests Supporters to Send Their Hearts Instead of Attending Campaign Opening
    Han Dong-hoon Requests Supporters to Send Their Hearts Instead of Attending Campaign Opening Han Dong-hoon, a former leader of the People Power Party, stated that regarding the opening of his campaign office in Busan on May 10, he has asked lawmakers who expressed their intention to attend to "send their hearts from afar this time." Running as an independent candidate for the Busan North Gap seat in the June 3 local elections, Han made these comments during an appearance on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" on the morning of May 8. When asked if it would be awkward since the People Power Party's Park Min-sik is also holding an opening ceremony on the same day, he replied, "I want to make it a festive occasion for local residents rather than a display of central political power struggles unrelated to the region." Earlier, lawmakers Han Ji-a and Jin Jong-o expressed their intention to attend Han's opening ceremony. In response, Han noted, "There are many lawmakers who plan to come, not just Han Ji-a and Jin Jong-o," and emphasized that he wants to enjoy the event with local residents this time. Meanwhile, Park's opening ceremony is expected to be attended by party leaders, including Jang Dong-hyuk and Song Eon-seok. Regarding this, Han remarked, "The Jang Dong-hyuk faction is showing a stance that they will block Han Dong-hoon even if the Democratic Party takes over here," calling it "very strange politics." On the appointment of Jeong Hyung-geun as his campaign chair, Han clarified, "He is not the one to determine the direction of my election campaign," adding, "This shows that former lawmaker Jeong, who has a strong conservative inclination, agrees with my vision for conservative reconstruction. This election is about electing me, not about the campaign chair." Finally, Han expressed his intention to return to the party, stating, "When I was unjustly expelled, my first words were, 'I will definitely return.' I will return to change the party, conservatism, and South Korea." 2026-05-08 14:02:22
  • Oh Se-hoon Blames Lee Administration for Soaring Housing Prices in Seongdong
    Oh Se-hoon Blames Lee Administration for Soaring Housing Prices in Seongdong Park Yong-chan, spokesperson for Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, questioned Jeong Won-o, the Democratic Party's candidate, on May 8 regarding the soaring housing prices and rental crisis in Seongdong. "Is this Jeong's responsibility, or is it due to the Lee Jae-myung administration's flawed real estate policies?" he asked. Park criticized Jeong for blaming Oh, who served as Seoul mayor for five years, for the current housing crisis. He argued that if Jeong follows this logic, he should also be held accountable for the real estate turmoil in Seongdong, where he has been the district mayor for 12 years. He added that Oh does not hold Jeong accountable because he understands that the primary responsibility lies with government policy. Park also criticized the real estate policies of the Lee Jae-myung administration and former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, stating that the tax burdens and loan pressures imposed by the current government have led to a housing crisis. He described the decision to deregulate 389 redevelopment zones by the former mayor as a painful mistake that continues to have repercussions. Finally, Park urged Jeong to stop the smear campaign that misplaces blame for the housing crisis. 2026-05-08 12:17:11
  • Jung Cheong-rae Criticizes Opposition for Boycotting Constitutional Vote
    Jung Cheong-rae Criticizes Opposition for Boycotting Constitutional Vote Jung Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, criticized the opposition People Power Party on May 8 for its absence during the previous day's constitutional vote, calling it "cowardly." During a Supreme Council meeting in Songpa, he stated, "It is cowardly to claim that the content of the constitutional amendment is not strongly opposed and to call it rushed. They should just say they oppose it." He added that such behavior raises concerns about the party's constitutionality. Han Byeong-do, the party's floor leader, echoed these sentiments, asserting that the refusal to participate in the vote was a rejection of the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising and the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising. He condemned the People Power Party for neglecting its responsibilities as a constitutional body. He emphasized that for a national referendum on the constitutional amendment to occur during the June 3 local elections, a vote in the National Assembly must be completed by May 10. The Democratic Party plans to hold a re-vote on the constitutional amendment in the afternoon session. At the meeting, Jung also highlighted support for Seoul mayoral candidate Jung Won-o and Songpa District mayoral candidate Jo Jae-hee. He noted his earlier visit to the Garak Market in Songpa, where he heard urgent requests for modernization and digitalization, stressing the need for changes befitting the largest agricultural market in South Korea. He praised Jo as an expert on Songpa, having run for office twice, and expressed confidence that combining Jo's policy capabilities with Jung's administrative experience could restore the glory of the 1988 Seoul Olympics in the district. He stated that their victory would drive the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration. Jung Won-o proposed forming a special committee for the Gangnam 4 districts (Gangnam, Seocho, Songpa, and Gangdong), asserting that the government and the party must support its effectiveness. He committed to addressing local issues, such as the development of the former Seongdong Detention Center site and the ecological restoration of the Seongnaecheon stream, reflecting the residents' wishes. In response, Jung Cheong-rae pledged to establish the committee immediately. 2026-05-08 12:07:34
  • Democratic Party taps Park Ji-won, Lim Moon-young for likely by-election strategic nominations
    Democratic Party taps Park Ji-won, Lim Moon-young for likely by-election strategic nominations The Democratic Party on Tuesday named Supreme Council member Park Ji-won and Lim Moon-young, standing vice chair of its AI Strategy Committee, as internal talent picks, signaling strategic nominations for upcoming by-elections. Park is expected to be nominated in the North Jeolla Province district of Gunsan-Gimje-Buan, and Lim in Gwangju’s Gwangsan-eul district. At a welcome event at the National Assembly, party leader Jeong Cheong-rae said the core principles for strategic nominations in the parliamentary by-elections were recruiting outside talent and elevating internal talent. He called Park “a model” internal pick, noting Park rose from the rank-and-file and won election as a supreme council member after a 115-to-1 competition. Jeong said Park was elected last September through an all-member vote, becoming the first to move from an ordinary party member to the supreme council. He described Park as a symbol of the “one person, one vote” system and “a next-generation leader” who could reshape the party. Jeong also urged Lim to help support the Lee Jae-myung government’s AI policy at the National Assembly and within the party, asking Lim to play a major role in AI legislation alongside Ha Jeong-woo, who is running in Busan’s Buk-gap district. Lim previously served as an operator of Nowcom’s Nownuri service and as head of the iMBC media center, and worked as a policy aide when Lee was mayor of Seongnam and as an informatization policy official when Lee was governor of Gyeonggi Province. Both candidates highlighted ties to their expected districts. Lim said he decided to run in the Gwangju Gwangsan-eul by-election after accepting the party’s proposal and pledged to help transform Gwangju into a leading city in the AI era. Park said he would “build momentum for victory” starting in North Jeolla Province, where he said he was born and raised. Asked whether tapping presidential office figures who helped design national AI policy, including Ha and Lim, could disrupt policy work, Kim Young-jin, deputy chair of the party’s talent recruitment committee, said coordination among the party, government and presidential office would continue and could produce greater synergy. Kim said follow-up work would include legislative and policy support in the National Assembly, adding that having the two active in parliament would have a bigger impact in shaping a nationwide direction. 2026-05-06 13:51:16
  • Ruling, Opposition Parties Trade Attacks in Key Races Ahead of June 3 Local Elections
    Ruling, Opposition Parties Trade Attacks in Key Races Ahead of June 3 Local Elections The ruling and opposition parties are intensifying their fight over key battlegrounds ahead of the June 3 local elections. The Democratic Party has nominated Jung Won-oh, a former Seongdong District chief, for Seoul mayor and Jeon Jae-soo, a former oceans and fisheries minister, for Busan mayor, highlighting an image of candidates who “get things done.” The People Power Party, meanwhile, is leaning on incumbency advantages and the issue of a special counsel tied to canceling indictments to rally conservative voters. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Sung-joon, People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jae-seop, Rebuilding Korea Party lawmaker Shin Jang-sik and New Reform Party lawmaker Cheon Ha-ram appeared Tuesday on CBS Radio’s “Park Seong-tae’s News Show,” trading barbs over the June 3 local elections and by-elections in contested districts. Criticism focused first on Jung, the Democratic Party’s Seoul mayoral candidate. Kim said the narrowing gap in polls reflects Jung’s slipping support rather than a consolidation of conservative voters, calling Jung’s view of Seoul “inexperienced” and “amateurish.” He said Jung’s “competent” image is deflating under scrutiny and argued that, with the indictment-cancellation issue added, “the Democratic Party will have a very hard time in Seoul.” Cheon also said Jung’s numbers in Seoul have stalled despite high presidential approval ratings, adding that questions remain about Jung, including controversy over overseas trips. Park pushed back, saying the election should test who can do the job. He said Oh “has done nothing,” asking what Oh accomplished during four terms. The Busan mayoral race also drew sharp exchanges. Park said Jeon has competitiveness as a “new product,” describing the contest as a clash between Jeon as a symbolic figure and People Power Party candidate Park Hyung-joon as an “old-era” figure. Kim countered that Jeon’s “Cartier” legal risk and a special counsel on allegedly fabricated indictments have given conservative voters a reason to turn out, saying the Busan race has “shifted a lot” thanks to the indictment-cancellation issue. Cheon added that Jeon could face growing difficulty, citing a case in which Jeon’s aide became a defendant on allegations of destroying evidence. In Pyeongtaek-eul, Gyeonggi Province, where multiple candidates are competing, the lawmakers differed on whether consolidation would occur. Kim said conflict in Pyeongtaek-eul between candidate Kim Yong-nam of the “new Lee Jae-myung” camp and Cho Kuk’s camp aligned with Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in would erupt, predicting People Power Party candidate Yoo Eui-dong would win. Shin said Yoo, despite serving three terms, failed to secure what he promised with the government and has no achievements beyond being “a Pyeongtaek person,” predicting a two-way race between Kim and Cho. Cheon said support for the president would not transfer directly to Cho and predicted that, over time, votes would move to Kim. 2026-05-06 11:02:51
  • Seoul mayoral candidate Jeong Won-oh visits Korea Exchange, urges support for market shift
    Seoul mayoral candidate Jeong Won-oh visits Korea Exchange, urges support for market shift Jeong Won-oh, the Democratic Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor, visited the Korea Exchange on May 4, as the benchmark KOSPI index topped 6,900, and said Seoul must raise its growth rate to sustain the “money move” into stocks and the market rally. Speaking at an event titled “Jeong Won-oh’s On-the-Ground Visit: Finance Edition” at the exchange in Seoul’s Yeouido district, Jeong said that as of 2024 the national economic growth rate was 2.0% while Seoul’s was 1.0%. He said Seoul should help ensure the KOSPI’s upward momentum continues. According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI closed at 6,936.99, a record high. Jeong said the Lee Jae-myung government and the Democratic Party were turning what critics said was impossible into reality, and urged the Seoul city government to keep supporting the market mood through measures such as regulatory reform and improved administrative services. Rep. Oh Ki-hyoung, who attended the meeting, also called for shifting the focus from real estate to capital markets. “Economic growth centered on real estate is no longer feasible,” Oh said, adding that resources should move toward innovative companies and capital markets. Rep. Kim Nam-geun said he joined the event to discuss investment opportunities across Seoul so money tied up in real estate can move into more productive sectors. Participants also raised concerns about a lack of startup space. Kim said the city would use idle spaces across Seoul to create places where venture and startup firms can operate without the burden of rent. Oh said that despite existing startup support spaces in Seoul, many companies start up elsewhere due to rent costs or to receive support from other local governments. He said there is a mismatch between demand and available space.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 17:52:41
  • Democratic Party Slams People Power Nominations as ‘Yoon Again’ Push Ahead of June 3 Local Elections
    Democratic Party Slams People Power Nominations as ‘Yoon Again’ Push Ahead of June 3 Local Elections The Democratic Party of Korea on May 4 stepped up its criticism of the People Power Party’s nominations for the June 3 local elections, with party leader Jung Cheong-rae calling them, in his words, a declaration of a return to a “Yoon Again party.” Speaking at an on-site Supreme Council meeting in Busan, Jung said the lineup of nominees was “shocking,” and asked whether the party was nominating “remnants” or the “main body” of an insurrection, and whether it was trying to “stage another insurrection” by nominating “insurrection collaborators.” He said he was angry that such figures were returning to the center of power “without remorse,” and demanded the party immediately withdraw the nominations of “insurrection collaborators.” On the possibility that the People Power Party could nominate Jeong Jin-seok, described in the article as a former presidential chief of staff, Jung pointed to comments by South Chungcheong Gov. Kim Tae-heum, saying Kim appeared to be signaling a decision to split from the party. Jung asked whether the party would press ahead with Jeong’s nomination. Kim said on May 2 that if Jeong’s nomination became reality, he would accept even leaving the party and running as an independent. Supreme Council member Hwang Myung-sun also criticized what he called “Yoon Again” nominations. He said the People Power Party was regrouping a “Yoon Suk Yeol-style Hanahoe” through its nominations for the June 3 local elections and by-elections, and said nominating Lee Jin-sook, Lee Yong and Kim Tae-gyu amounted to “clear support for an insurrection.” He said putting forward people who “should be standing in court” as candidates was an insult to the public and to democracy. The meeting was also attended by Jeon Jae-soo, the party’s Busan mayoral candidate, and Ha Jung-woo, a candidate for the Buk-gu Gap parliamentary seat in Busan, who pledged to win their races. Jeon, speaking about relocating HMM’s headquarters to Busan, said the move would not be the end, adding that more shipping, logistics, finance, legal, service and future-industry companies would move to the city. “From now on is the real start,” he said, adding that if the HMM move opened the way, the flow should spread across Busan’s economy. Ha said he would make Busan’s Buk-gu district the nation’s leading hub for AI education, and said he would be a strong growth engine for the district’s development.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 11:57:19