As elections approach, politicians often make grand promises, citing figures in the billions and hundreds of thousands. However, what citizens truly want to know is not the size of these numbers but how they will become a reality. The critical questions are how, where, and when these plans will be implemented.
On May 18, Jung Won-o, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, announced his housing policy for young people and newlyweds in front of Seoul City Hall. The main points were clear: an expansion of monthly rent support, 10,000 affordable homes for newlyweds, 30,000 public rental units, and 50,000 youth rental homes, with a total of 87,000 units to be supplied and started by next year. At first glance, this seems like an ambitious plan. The acknowledgment of the struggles faced by young people and newlyweds in dealing with high rents and housing prices is commendable, as many in Seoul are delaying marriage, forgoing childbirth, and giving up on their futures due to these pressures.
However, good intentions do not equate to effective policies, especially for a candidate for mayor. The mayor of Seoul is not just a civic activist or a district chief; it is a position that requires managing the largest administrative organization in South Korea. Therefore, the design of policies is more important than goodwill.
The first question that arose during Jung's press conference was straightforward: where will these units be built? While he promised 87,000 units, there was little specific information about where they would be located. There was no roadmap detailing which areas would see new construction, how many units would be built at each site, or the methods to be used. Although figures were provided—60,000 units from redevelopment projects, 7,000 from public rental reconstruction, and 20,000 from purchased rentals—the crucial question of 'where' remained unanswered.
The second question is about timing. Jung repeatedly mentioned the goal of 87,000 units by next year. However, upon closer examination, many of these units are based on the start of construction rather than completion. For citizens, the expectation of supply typically means homes that are ready for occupancy, but in administrative terms, 'start of construction' and 'occupancy' are entirely different concepts.
Redevelopment and reconstruction involve a lengthy process that includes resident consent, formation of associations, reviews, permits, relocations, and construction. Just because a press conference was held at City Hall does not mean construction will begin the next day. Particularly, the reconstruction of aging public rental units is complicated by issues related to resident relocation and budget constraints, making it difficult to expedite. This raises the question: is it really feasible to achieve this by next year?
The third question is about the methodology. Jung stated he would restore the Seoul Housing Corporation (SH) to its original role as a housing welfare agency, criticizing the previous mayor Oh Se-hoon for utilizing SH for projects like the Seoul Ring and Han River Bus, which diluted its primary function. This is a clear political differentiation.
However, this raises further questions. If SH is to be reverted to a housing welfare agency, how will the necessary funding be secured? What will be the costs associated with the 20,000 purchased rental units, and how will the financial burdens arising from the expansion of public rentals be managed? If he criticized the Seoul Ring and Han River Bus projects, he should also explain how much of their budgets will be redirected to actual housing resources.
Managing Seoul is more complex than it appears. The city already operates within a finely tuned system that does not function solely based on the will of one mayor. Conversely, this means that the mayor must present a clear blueprint for what they intend to do for the system to operate effectively. Budgeting, SH, urban planning, resident consultations, and cooperation with the central government must all align precisely.
Thus, a mayoral candidate's press conference is evaluated not by numbers but by details. Jung's announcement on this day conveyed a relatively clear policy philosophy focused on housing welfare for young people and newlyweds, strengthening public rentals, and redefining SH's role. His intent to differentiate from Oh Se-hoon's private sector-focused supply approach was also evident. However, philosophy and execution are two different matters.
What was felt at the press conference was a sense of uncertainty regarding the execution plans rather than confidence in the numbers. While promises were made, there was a need for explanations to the most pressing questions from citizens: 'where, when, and how.'
Seoul citizens are no longer easily swayed by slogans. The issues of housing prices and rents in Seoul are matters of life and survival, making residents more discerning. The larger the promises, the more detailed the scrutiny they require.
Politicians can make promises, but being the mayor of Seoul requires more than just promises. A clear blueprint must be presented. What the citizens of Seoul want to see now is not just numbers but tangible realities.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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