President Lee Jae-myung and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon are at odds over plans to expand housing supply in the capital. Mayor Oh has called for easing regulations on floor area ratios and the transfer of membership rights in redevelopment and reconstruction projects, while President Lee has emphasized that regulatory relief should not lead to soaring housing prices. A dispute also arose over Mayor Oh's comments regarding the use of Yongsan Park land for housing.
During a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House, President Lee responded to Mayor Oh's requests for easing regulations on floor area ratios, transfer of membership rights, and rental housing ratios by stating, "We should aim to increase supply, but we must not raise the possibility of skyrocketing housing prices."
However, President Lee noted, "There may be a middle ground that maximizes positive aspects while minimizing negative ones," and instructed Prime Minister Han Seung-soo to explore various opinions to find ways to increase housing supply. The aim is to maintain the supply benefits of redevelopment projects while preventing speculative demand and price hikes.
After the Cabinet meeting, Mayor Oh took to social media to request, "Please lift the regulations that are blocking the acceleration of redevelopment and reconstruction."
The Seoul city government has been urging the central government to relax regulations on relocation loans for redevelopment projects, lift restrictions on the transfer of membership rights, and promote private rental housing supply. While some of its proposals were reflected in the government's August 13 supply measures, key regulations remain in place.
Mayor Oh emphasized, "There are still essential regulations that must be lifted, such as restrictions on the transfer of membership rights, floor area ratios, and rental housing ratios." The city believes that relying solely on public-led supply has its limits and that enhancing the viability of private redevelopment projects is necessary to increase supply in urban areas. Mayor Oh previously highlighted that redevelopment could yield up to 40% more new housing, while reconstruction could average a 25% increase, underscoring the supply potential of these projects.
Conflicting accounts emerged regarding the potential use of Yongsan Park land for housing supply. Mayor Oh claimed on social media, "I clearly expressed my opposition to building apartments in Yongsan Park to the President." He argued, "Housing can be built elsewhere, but once urban green spaces are lost, they are difficult to recreate," adding, "There are principles even in urgency."
However, the Blue House denied Mayor Oh's assertion that he mentioned the Yongsan Park issue during the Cabinet meeting. Chief Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong stated, "There seems to be a discrepancy with the facts," and added, "We have not heard anything regarding Yongsan Park."
While the Seoul city government agrees on the need to expand housing supply, it maintains that significant green spaces like Yongsan Park should not be used as a means to provide housing. Mayor Oh previously stated his firm opposition to the possibility of housing supply in the Yongsan Park children's garden area, asserting, "I absolutely cannot agree; no matter how urgent it is, we do not consume the seeds of our future."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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