Oh Se-hoon, the Mayor of Seoul, was acquitted in an appeals court on charges related to illegal polling payments, overturning a previous ruling that could have cost him his position. This decision is expected to reinvigorate the city’s policies on high-density urban development and housing supply. With concerns about losing his mayoral seat alleviated, projects led by Mayor Oh, including the construction of 310,000 housing units through rapid integrated planning and the revitalization of green ecological urban areas, are likely to regain momentum.
On October 23, Oh was found not guilty in the appeals court regarding allegations of funding illegal polling. The reversal of the initial ruling, which had imposed a sentence that could have led to his removal from office, reduces fears of delays in policy changes or major decision-making. However, the final judgment may still be subject to review by the Supreme Court, depending on whether an appeal is filed.
In the housing supply sector, the expansion of rapid integrated planning and the Moa Town initiative is expected to gain traction. The foundation for continuing the city’s support measures for redevelopment projects, including the selection of new sites and permitting assistance, has been strengthened.
Last September, the city announced 'Rapid Integrated Planning 2.0,' aiming to shorten the redevelopment process by up to 6.5 years, with a goal of starting construction on 310,000 housing units by 2031. The key is to reduce the time from project designation to groundbreaking through administrative support at each stage.
The Moa Town initiative is also poised to secure new project sites. On October 12, the city unveiled plans for 'Moa Integrated Planning' and will begin soliciting new candidate sites starting November 2. The goal is to select 100 locations by 2030 to establish a foundation for supplying 120,000 housing units, reducing the time from site selection to construction from approximately six years to 4.5 years.
In urban areas, the push for 'green ecological urban revitalization,' which combines high-density development with green space expansion, is expected to gain support. The plan involves relaxing height and floor area ratio regulations to encourage high-density and mixed-use development while securing open green spaces. The area around Jongmyo and Toegye-ro is set to be a leading project for creating urban green corridors.
The Seoun District is a key site for realizing this urban development direction. The city raised the height limits for buildings in Seoun District 4 near Jongmyo through a notification issued on October 30 last year. The previous agreement set a maximum height of 71.9 meters. In March of this year, the Seoul Integrated Review Committee conditionally approved the project plan, allowing it to proceed to the next steps.
With the restoration of Mayor Oh's policy momentum, the likelihood of continuing existing development plans has increased. However, to accelerate actual project timelines, differences with the Cultural Heritage Administration and the World Heritage impact assessments must be reconciled.
In May, the Cultural Heritage Administration sent a letter to the city and the Seoul Housing and Urban Development Corporation (SH) mandating the implementation of impact assessments. In contrast, Mayor Oh reaffirmed on October 19 during a National Assembly audit that there is no legal obligation for Seoun District 4 to undergo such assessments. The negotiations surrounding the implementation of these evaluations and development plans will be variables in future project timelines.
The Yongsan International Business District is also expected to gain momentum in advancing existing development plans, alleviating concerns about policy continuity. As discussions with relevant agencies are necessary regarding development direction and housing supply plans, the city is likely to coordinate its existing development principles with the government's supply proposals.
There are clear differences between the city and the government regarding the use of the main site of Yongsan Park for housing supply. On October 15, during a National Assembly audit, Mayor Oh criticized the government's plan to develop the park's main site into apartments as contrary to the Yongsan Park Special Act.
Converting even a portion of the park site for housing would require legal amendments, and soil remediation could take at least three to four years, potentially extending to six to seven years. As the city lays the groundwork to continue its existing policies, discussions with the government to expedite development and supply outcomes are expected to continue.
Seojin Hyung, a professor of real estate law at Kwangwoon University, predicted, "The struggle between the city and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will continue, leading both sides to pursue their own paths."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.