Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has made it clear that he will not agree to any plans to supply housing in Yongsan Park, stating, "I cannot agree under any circumstances." However, he expressed willingness to support housing supply in nearby areas with improved transportation and urban infrastructure.
After a one-hour meeting with Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yun-deok on August 20, Mayor Oh told reporters, "In conclusion, we are at an impasse regarding Yongsan Park. The city will not agree to the construction of apartments on the main site of Yongsan Park under any circumstances."
Oh emphasized that Yongsan Park is a vital space for leisure and relaxation for Seoul citizens and a key part of the green corridor extending from Namsan. He stated, "It is difficult to agree to convert even a limited area for residential use. Agreeing to that would result in me being remembered as a historical sinner as the mayor of Seoul."
Instead, Mayor Oh proposed utilizing scattered sites near Yongsan Park, mentioning areas such as Camp Kim, the Gyeongridan area, sites related to the Bank of Korea, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs parking lot. He said, "If there are available sites, we can discuss them flexibly."
He also indicated that if the city accepts the proposal for housing supply on alternative sites, it would actively cooperate with transportation measures and the installation of urban infrastructure such as water and sewage systems. While drawing a line on the main site of Yongsan Park, the city is open to collaborating on housing supply through other sites.
This approach aligns with a proposal made by ruling party lawmaker Kwon Young-se, who suggested alternative sites after meeting with Mayor Oh on August 18. Kwon proposed utilizing the site near the National Military Finance Management Office in Itaewon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs parking lot, and the Bank of Korea dormitory in Huam-dong.
However, Mayor Oh noted that he has yet to receive a clear position from the government regarding which specific areas within Yongsan Park they intend to use for housing supply. He stated, "I have asked several times which specific site they have in mind, but there is still no confirmed and organized position from the city’s perspective."
The government is working to solidify its plans for housing supply in Yongsan Park. Minister Kim indicated the day before that while the entire Yongsan Park is under review, they are considering supplying youth housing primarily on some sites that have lost their green space function, such as officer quarters and military apartments.
However, the city maintains that these sites are also included in the main area of Yongsan Park, making residential conversion impossible. Mayor Oh emphasized, "The military apartments and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration site are part of the main area," reiterating that they are designated for park development. He clarified that Yongsan Park has not been damaged and that the areas currently occupied by buildings are also intended for future park development.
While the government argues that it can utilize sites that have lost their green space function, the city stresses that the purpose of Yongsan Park is not merely to convert currently green spaces into parks but to develop the entire main area into a park.
The city also pointed out that for the government to push forward with housing supply in Yongsan Park, there are many challenges to address, including legal amendments, soil contamination cleanup, and transportation measures. Mayor Oh reiterated that if a large apartment complex were to be built in Yongsan Park, it could take considerable time to resolve traffic issues and clean contaminated soil.
In fact, converting part of Yongsan Park into housing supply sites would require amendments to relevant laws. The National Assembly is set to discuss the "Special Act on the Creation of Yongsan Park" in a plenary session, making legal amendments a significant variable in this situation.
Meanwhile, Mayor Oh also requested government-level institutional improvements to expand housing supply in Seoul, including support for youth housing and easing regulations on redevelopment projects. He emphasized the need to expand loan limits, such as the Didirim loan, to provide practical housing opportunities for young people.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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