Oh Se-hoon "Will the concentration phenomenon worsen if the economy becomes Seoul-centered?"

"Long-term Discussions Needed Until After Next Year's Election"

On the 6th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon commented on the discussion about incorporating Gimpo City into Seoul, saying, "Just because an area classified as part of Gyeonggi Province becomes part of Seoul, does that mean the concentration phenomenon will worsen?"

Kim Byung-su, Mayor of Gimpo City, is greeting Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul, at Seoul City Hall on the 6th before discussing the incorporation of Gimpo City into Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Mayor Oh made this remark in response to a student's question about the prospect of overpopulation due to Gimpo City's incorporation into Seoul during a lecture at the Graduate School of Public Administration at Seoul National University in Gwanak-gu, Seoul.

He said, "Aren't people already living in cities surrounding Seoul, such as Gimpo, Guri, and Hanam?" and questioned, "Logically speaking, would urban concentration intensify just because these cities are administratively incorporated into Seoul?" He also announced plans to formalize discussions on this issue through a 'Joint Research Team' studying the effects of Gimpo City's incorporation into Seoul, as well as a separately established 'Task Force (TF) for Improving Quality of Life in the Same Living Area' by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Prior to the lecture, Mayor Oh met with Gimpo Mayor Kim Byung-soo at Seoul City Hall to discuss the formation of the Joint Research Team and the TF.

Regarding Gimpo City's incorporation into Seoul, Mayor Oh suggested, "Since this seems to have been raised as an election issue, there is more resistance, and perspectives vary depending on political support, so let's take a long-term approach and discuss this opportunity after next year's (National Assembly) election."

Additionally, after delivering a lecture on Seoul city policies such as guaranteed income, companion housing policy, and low birthrate measures, he held a Q&A session with the students.

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