On the First Day, Well-Wishes Were Exchanged... Oh Se-hoon Administration's Cooperation with the City Council Remains 'Oh-ri-mu-jung'

An Overwhelming Majority of Seoul Metropolitan Council Members Belong to the Democratic Party of Korea... Unilateral Promotion Impossible Without Cooperation on Ordinances and Budgets
Regulatory Relaxation Conflicting with Government Policies Faces Difficulties Ahead

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] "Words of goodwill will end as words of goodwill."

This is the evaluation coming from local political circles and inside and outside the city regarding the relationship between Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and the Seoul Metropolitan Council, which exchanged words of goodwill on the first day of his inauguration. In the era of 'Autonomy and Decentralization 2.0' under direct election local governments, the council is an important partner for the head of the local government. Like the relationship between the president and the National Assembly, there should be a system of checks and balances, but the situation between Mayor Oh, who has returned to the Seoul city hall after 10 years, and the city council is different. Among the 110 city council members, 101 belong to the Democratic Party of Korea, and the only negotiation group is the Democratic Party. Among the 25 district mayors, 24 are from the Democratic Party and only one is from the People Power Party. It is a tilted playing field.

On the 8th, Mayor Oh met with the Democratic Party-affiliated chairperson and vice-chairpersons of the council and repeatedly bowed his head, saying, "Without the full support of the city council, it will honestly be difficult for any work to proceed smoothly," and "I ask for your cooperation." As it was their first meeting, mutual words of goodwill were exchanged. However, it seems difficult to break the long-standing bitter ties. The Democratic Party in the Seoul Metropolitan Council issued a congratulatory statement on Mayor Oh’s inauguration, saying, "We hope that the communication breakdown and stubbornness shown so far will be set aside, and that a partnership based on communication and cooperation with the city council will be established." This signals a rocky path ahead.

Democratic Party city council members had previously defined Mayor Oh’s past tenure policies such as Design Seoul and Hangang Renaissance as failures and even called for his withdrawal from candidacy in this election. Jo Sang-ho, the floor leader of the city council, appeared on 'Kim Yong-min TV' on the 25th of last month and criticized, "If I recall Mayor Oh’s previous term, he was an icon of stubbornness and arrogance." He argued that if Mayor Oh were to take office again, there is a high possibility that the city administration would fall into chaos due to conflicts with the central government, conflicts with autonomous districts, and lack of communication and cooperation with the Democratic Party. He added, "He pushed forward exhibition-style administration and large-scale construction projects such as Design Seoul and Hangang Renaissance," and claimed, "Because of massive investments in places like Gwanghwamun Square, Sebitseom Floating Islands, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Ara Waterway, and Yanghwa Bridge construction, Seoul’s finances have nearly reached a state of collapse."

Immediately, the Democratic Party in the city council plans to push for the submission of a request for an administrative investigation into the truth regarding the land in Naegok-dong at the city council plenary session on the 19th. The special investigation will focus on whether information about the investigation design service related to the designation of the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH) national rental housing district was leaked and whether the city’s proposal for the designation of the national rental housing district at that time was appropriate. The Democratic Party plans to employ all means, including bringing in public officials who worked at the time as witnesses for cross-examination, and if any illegal activities are confirmed, they intend to request an audit from the Board of Audit and Inspection.

Mayor Oh also lowered his posture but indirectly criticized the actions of the previous mayor, showing signs of discomfort. At a meeting with executives, Mayor Oh said, "The previous mayor came and overturned the work of the immediate predecessor, which is a vivid memory," and added, "Unlike the early days of the previous mayor, there will definitely be no reckless wielding of the knife without deep review."

Some speculate that Mayor Oh’s housing and transportation pledges will inevitably lead to clashes and confrontations since they require significant amendments to various ordinances and budget allocations. It is analyzed that intense behind-the-scenes battles will continue ahead of next year’s presidential and local elections. A Seoul city official said, "Ahead of next year’s presidential and local elections, policies that can quickly produce results are expected to continue," and assessed, "Cooperation with the city council and autonomous districts to smoothly resolve these matters depends on the new mayor’s political skills."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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