Seoul Mayor, Lawmaker Clash Over Yongsan Park Housing Plans

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Kim Young-bae, chairman of the Democratic Party's Seoul chapter, remain at odds over proposals to utilize Yongsan Park for housing development. The two leaders discussed the issue on Tuesday but failed to bridge their differing views.

Kim, a member of the National Assembly, urged for a wide-ranging review of potential housing supply measures, including the Yongsan Park area, to address the youth housing crisis. He emphasized the need for flexible approaches to tackle the pressing issue of affordable housing for young people in the capital.

However, Mayor Oh reiterated his opposition to using the core area of Yongsan Park for residential purposes. He maintained his previous position, suggesting that the main park grounds should be preserved for public use and not be encroached upon by housing projects. This fundamental disagreement highlights the ongoing debate about balancing urban development needs with the preservation of public green spaces.