Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon criticized the government’s real estate supply measures announced on January 19, describing them as lacking effectiveness and overly reliant on a public-driven approach. During a meeting held at the National Assembly on February 2 with the People’s Power Party’s Real Estate Policy Council, Oh expressed disappointment, calling the measures a regression that overlooks the urgent reality of the Seoul housing market and arguing that housing supply should be led primarily by the private sector.
The government had announced plans to supply 60,000 housing units by 2030, including 10,000 units in the Yongsan International Business District and developments at locations like the Gwacheon Racecourse and Taereung Golf Course. However, Oh pointed out that these plans were introduced without proper consultation, neglecting ongoing evaluations and community concerns.
Oh also criticized the focus on expanding supply by disrupting development-restricted zones, arguing that such moves were shortsighted and primarily aimed at immediate public impact rather than realistic implementation, which could only start around 2029. He emphasized that relaxing loan restrictions associated with previous policies would better facilitate private sector projects and help increase actual supply more quickly than relying solely on public measures.
Finally, Oh stated that a strategy to expedite already secured housing development in Seoul by a year would be implemented, promising a proactive approach to ensure effective housing measures for 시민 주거 안정 (citizen housing stability).