Yongsan Park Housing Talks Stall: Seoul Mayor, Minister to Meet Again Next Week

South Korean Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-soo and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon met on August 20 to discuss housing supply within Yongsan Park, but their differing views prevented an agreement. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport advocates for using damaged sections of the park for housing, particularly for young couples and newlyweds. However, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon strongly opposes any housing construction within the park itself, calling it a historical betrayal.

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We have confirmed the exact differences in our positions, and we agreed to meet again next week to continue the conversation.

Instead, Mayor Oh proposed developing adjacent areas as a compromise. He suggested flexibility in discussing the development of scattered sites near Yongsan Park, such as Camp Kim, Gyeongnidan, and the Korea Bank and Ministry of Foreign Affairs parking lots. Minister Kim acknowledged the gap in their positions and agreed to continue discussions next week.

Implementing the Ministry's housing plan would require amending the "Special Act on the Creation of Yongsan Park," which prohibits using park land for purposes other than a park. If the law is amended, the Ministry could designate public housing districts and lead development, though collaboration with Seoul would still be necessary for permits and subsequent procedures.

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Under no circumstances can I agree to building apartments on the Yongsan Park site. Agreeing to that would result in me being remembered as a sinner in history as the mayor of Seoul.

Discussions on the Yongsan International Business District, where housing supply numbers remain a point of contention, were also postponed. The government aims for 10,000 new homes, but Seoul can only accommodate up to 8,000. An agreement on easing green belt regulations was also not reached. Future meetings are expected to address issues like redevelopment/reconstruction 용적률 (building coverage ratio) and the relaxation of rental housing ratios. Meanwhile, the ruling and opposition parties agreed to process an amendment to the Yongsan Park Creation Special Act next week, which would ease park and green space requirements on the Camp Kim site to increase housing supply.

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I proposed a compromise, suggesting flexibility in discussing the development of scattered sites around the Yongsan Park site. I expressed willingness to actively consider and assist with areas like Camp Kim, Gyeongnidan, and the Korea Bank and Ministry of Foreign Affairs parking lots.