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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

'Full-Throttle Supply' for Real Estate, Seoul's Oh Se-hoon Vows to Counter Opposition's Absolute Power

From Hankyoreh · (12m ago) Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon emphasizes the need for aggressive housing supply, pledging to initiate 310,000 housing units by 2031.
  • He positions himself as a centrist candidate crucial for balancing the opposition's potential absolute power.
  • Oh highlights his administration's achievements in social welfare and urban development, urging voters to support his bid for a second term.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is making a strong case for his re-election, centering his campaign on a 'full-throttle' approach to housing supply and positioning himself as a vital check against the opposition's potential consolidation of power. In an interview with Hankyoreh, Oh declared, 'For real estate policy, it's full-throttle supply. There's nothing else.' He pledged to fulfill his campaign promise of initiating the construction of 310,000 housing units by 2031 through redevelopment and reconstruction projects.

For real estate policy, it's full-throttle supply. There's nothing else.

— Oh Se-hoonEmphasizing his commitment to increasing housing supply.

Oh frames his candidacy as essential for maintaining a balance of power in South Korean politics. He argues that if the Democratic Party secures control over local governments in addition to their existing dominance in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, it would result in an 'absolute power akin to that of a Joseon Dynasty king.' He appeals to voters to grant him a mandate to provide a counterbalance, asserting that 'Oh Se-hoon himself is a moderate expansion.'

If the Democratic Party secures local power in addition to the three branches of government, won't they achieve absolute power akin to that of a Joseon Dynasty king?

— Oh Se-hoonExpressing concern about the opposition's potential political dominance.

Highlighting his administration's focus on 'accompanying the vulnerable,' Oh pointed to initiatives like the 'Sonmok Doctor 9988' health program, utilized by 2.8 million citizens, and 'Seoul Learn,' which offers free lectures from top instructors to low-income students. He also mentioned the creation of 1,100 urban gardens under the 'Garden City Project' and the proposed underground highway connecting northern and southern Seoul. These projects, he argues, demonstrate his commitment to improving the quality of life for all Seoulites and completing unfinished projects from his previous term, such as the Nodeul Island arts project and the Seoul Ring project.

Oh Se-hoon himself is a moderate expansion, isn't he?

— Oh Se-hoonPositioning himself as a centrist candidate.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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