Dongjak District asks Seoul to transfer authority for designating redevelopment zones

Dongjak District is pushing Seoul to transfer its authority for designating small-scale redevelopment zones, potentially creating a new point of contention between the city and its districts over project approvals. The district mayor, Ryu Sam-young, formally submitted a proposal at a meeting of Seoul district mayors on August 12.

The proposal calls for districts to gain the power to designate zones for redevelopment projects under 500 households. It also seeks to expand the scope of minor changes districts can approve from the current 10% to under 20%. Designation and changes to redevelopment zones are critical early steps that significantly impact project speed.

Under current law, the Seoul mayor holds the authority to designate redevelopment zones. While districts handle resident consultations and plan proposals, final designation and changes require Seoul's review and approval. The Seoul Mayors' Council has agreed to form a task force to explore expanding district authority, signaling a unified push from the districts.

This is not the first time such a demand has been raised. The Democratic Party's Seoul mayoral candidate during the June local elections had also pledged to transfer designation authority for zones under 500 households to the districts. Earlier this year, a bill was proposed to allow the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to directly designate zones when approvals are delayed.