Seoul City is set to face scrutiny in a national audit regarding its housing supply expansion and redevelopment policies, as well as issues surrounding Yongsan Park, the greenbelt, and the omission of rebar in the GTX-A Samsung Station project.
According to the National Assembly, the Administrative Safety Committee will conduct its audit on October 15, while the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee will follow on October 19. With ongoing differences between the government and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon regarding housing prices and supply, questions are expected to focus on the effectiveness and feasibility of the city’s housing policies.
The primary issue at hand is Seoul's housing supply policy. The audit will assess how much of the planned housing units from initiatives like the Rapid Integrated Planning and the Moa Town redevelopment have actually progressed to construction and occupancy, as well as measures to address project delays. The feasibility of Seoul's goal to start construction on 310,000 housing units by 2031 is also likely to be a key topic of inquiry.
Debate is anticipated over the impact of accelerated redevelopment projects on the rental market. Some ruling party members argue that the rapid pace of redevelopment is increasing demand for demolition and relocation, potentially inflating rental prices in certain areas. Conversely, opposition members may hold the previous mayor, Park Won-soon, accountable for weakening the supply base by dissolving redevelopment zones.
The expansion of floor area ratio incentives for private redevelopment projects is another contentious point. A proposed amendment to the Urban and Residential Environment Improvement Act, which would allow a floor area ratio of up to 1.3 times the maximum limit for qualifying public redevelopment projects, is set to be discussed in the National Assembly. The opposition is advocating for similar incentives for private reconstruction and redevelopment to enhance project viability, suggesting that discussions on stimulating private redevelopment and increasing supply will occur concurrently.
Differences between the government and Seoul City regarding new supply sites, such as Yongsan Park and the greenbelt, are also likely to be addressed during the audit. Following an announcement that former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-deok and Mayor Oh had narrowed their differences on Yongsan Park, the recent change in the ministerial position raises questions about whether discussions will revert to square one. While some government officials propose utilizing existing damaged areas within Yongsan Park for housing supply, Seoul City opposes housing development on the main park site.
The potential for greenbelt deregulation is another variable. While the government is considering the possibility of utilizing parts of the greenbelt to secure additional public land in the metropolitan area, Seoul City remains opposed to any damage to the greenbelt. There are also expectations for calls to expedite the provision of third-phase new towns and the establishment of comprehensive transportation measures.
The issue of rebar omission in the GTX-A Samsung Station segment is expected to emerge as a point of contention regarding Seoul City's safety management responsibilities and financial burdens. The government is reportedly moving toward seeking compensation from Seoul City for losses incurred due to delays in the project, while the city contends that the verification of responsibility has not yet concluded. Joint inspections are scheduled to continue until November 20.
The Han River Bus is also anticipated to be a major topic in this year's audit, following last year's controversies over operational speed, economic viability, and safety. This year, the focus will shift to actual usage statistics, project viability, financial burdens, and safety management following the bus's full operation.
Additionally, the development around Jongmyo Shrine and the Nodeul Island project may come under scrutiny. Recently, the Seoul Housing and Urban Development Corporation (SH) raised objections to the government's decision to postpone preservation measures for the Seoun 4 District, reigniting discussions on development plans and national heritage protection.
Furthermore, during the Administrative Safety Committee audit on October 15, Mayor Oh Se-hoon is expected to face questions regarding the budget execution and safety management of key municipal projects. Revisions to the semi-public bus system, the normalization of TBS, and the Wrist Doctor 9988 initiative are also likely to be included in the inquiries.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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