Lee Hye-hoon: "An Economic Market Needed to End 'Political Seoul'... I Will Ease Your Home Concerns"

Official Declaration of Candidacy for Seoul Mayor

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] "Economic expert" Lee Hye-hoon, former member of the People Power Party, declared her candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election in April next year, stating that "an economic mayor is needed to end political Seoul."

On the 19th, Lee said, "The position of Seoul mayor has been perceived as a stepping stone for presidential ambitions, so the mayor has focused on building their own brand and consolidating their ruling base, neglecting the lives of Seoul citizens, who should be the top priority." She made this announcement during a lecture at 'For a Better World' (Mapo Forum), an external group of the People Power Party, where she declared her candidacy for Seoul mayor.

She pointed out, "Despite the population dropping below 10 million due to rising housing prices forcing people to leave Seoul, the presidential hopeful mayor insisted only on their brand of regeneration and preservation, effectively blocking the supply of new homes that meet the needs of a more upscale and diverse Seoul citizenry, causing a simultaneous surge in housing and rent prices." She added, "The skyrocketing housing prices are like pouring oil on a powder keg, and the Moon administration's 23 flawed real estate policies ignited that powder keg."

Lee criticized, "The presidential hopeful mayor, focused on building their own brand, neglects the lives of Seoul citizens?this is political Seoul. We need an economic mayor to end political Seoul," raising her voice.

Specifically, she promised to solve the 'owning a home' issue. Lee said, "We will open the path to homeownership wide for newlyweds and families with young children who face difficulties in purchasing their first home through equity accumulation-type sales," and announced plans to supply a tentatively named 'HoneySky' primarily in redevelopment complexes along the Han River.

This involves covering Olympic-daero or Gangbyeonbuk-ro to connect with the Han River, enhancing scenery, rest, and views, and receiving donated land within the complexes for landscaping to build high-rise buildings exclusively for newlyweds and families with young children.

She also proposed creating 'Seoul Blossom,' an 80-story integrated high-rise facility combining workplace, residence, medical, cultural, welfare, and public services, in four zones in Gangbuk and Gangseo to address youth employment and housing issues.

In Gangbuk and Gangseo areas, she plans to promote high-density development, and in downtown areas, pilot ultra-high-density development projects. Additionally, she aims to expand private supply through redevelopment and reconstruction by easing conditions for designating maintenance zones, relaxing criteria for old and poor-quality housing, reducing donation ratios, and easing sunset clauses.

Lee also introduced a 'Youth Free Pass' to provide free subway fares for youths aged 19 to 30 and outlined youth support measures such as nurturing 500,000 talents in the 4th industrial revolution.

She stated, "Among the Seoul mayoral candidates, I am the only politician who has experience representing both Gangbuk and Gangnam," adding, "To solve Seoul's Gangnam-Gangbuk issues now, a balanced approach from someone experienced in both areas is necessary." She also emphasized that she is a figure capable of securing cooperation from 24 out of 25 Democratic Party district mayors and 102 out of 109 Democratic Party city council members.

Lee said, "We must persuade even you, a member of the Democratic Party, with solid logic on why this policy is necessary for Seoul citizens and beneficial to you," and added, "Only Lee Hye-hoon, who possesses a precise understanding of the mayoral role and policies, solid content, and steadfast determination, can do this."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.