Democrats win 81 seats in Seoul council; cooperation with Mayor Oh's housing policy key challenge

Seoul's city council will now be led by a Democratic Party majority after the party secured 81 out of 118 seats in the recent local elections. This result shifts the balance of power, creating a "ruling party in the minority" dynamic with the city's mayor, Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party, who was elected to his fifth term. The Democratic Party's significant win means they hold more than two-thirds of the council seats, granting them the power to override mayoral vetoes on ordinances. This political landscape sets the stage for crucial negotiations over the mayor's key housing and development initiatives. Policies concerning reconstruction, redevelopment, and major urban projects will require the council's cooperation to move forward. The upcoming period will test the ability of the mayor and the council majority to find common ground and effectively govern the city.