Oh Sehoon: "Focusing on Villas Stifles Redevelopment... Supply Is the Only Solution"

"I Have Never Seriously Considered Running for Party Leadership"
Renews Proposal for One-on-One Debate with Jung Wonoh

Oh Sehoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, criticized the real estate policy of Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, on the 11th, stating, "The moment you focus on multi-household and multi-family housing, redevelopment projects are bound to shrink."

Oh made these remarks while attending a debate hosted by the Korea Broadcasting Journalists Club at the MBN Media Center in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, on the same day. He assessed that Jung's real estate policy "is about focusing on villas." He went on to point out, "If too many villas are built, the consent rate for redevelopment will inevitably decrease, which will not help redevelopment."

Oh Sehoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, attending an invited debate hosted by the Korea Broadcasting Journalists Club held at the MBN Media Center in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, on the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News

Oh also commented on real estate issues such as the sharp rise in jeonse and monthly rent prices and shortages, saying, "It is true that supply, without conditions, is clearly the solution." He explained that the Seoul Metropolitan Government would create a separate Housing Promotion Fund to support easing the government's loan regulations. He also argued that the government should adopt policies that respect private rental business operators rather than excluding them.

Responding to questions about concerns over the feasibility of his pledge to supply 310,000 new homes in Seoul by 2031, Oh explained, "The cause is the confusion and conflict at redevelopment sites arising from the Lee Jaemyung administration's restrictions on the transfer of membership status and loan limitations." He also asserted, "The criticism that Oh's real estate policy does not deserve high marks comes from the political offensives of Democratic Party candidates."

Oh evaluated his opponent Jung as "a leader who devoted much effort to communicating with residents as a district mayor." However, he added, "It remains untested how he would perform in terms of pioneering leadership or vision-setting leadership." Regarding suspicions about Jung's overseas trip to Cancun, Oh described it as "a matter of morality," saying, "If a Seoul city official exhibited such behavior, it might be an excessive expression, but it would be grounds for dismissal."

When asked how he would respond if Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, offered to help with the campaign, Oh drew a line, saying, "If he wishes to help, I am grateful in my heart, but it is not necessary." He added, "Local elections are less about political competition and more focused on quality of life and everyday administration," and stated, "Rather than Representative Jang's endorsement, I believe the explanations and appeals for support from ordinary citizens are more necessary."

When asked if he would consider running for party leadership if he were to lose the local election, Oh replied, "I am confident in administration," but also said, "I do not think I have outstanding talent in politics." He continued, "To step forward as party leader and establish myself successfully would be extremely difficult—this is my honest confession," adding, "That is why I have never seriously considered pursuing that path."

Meanwhile, after the debate, Oh once again called on Jung to participate in a one-on-one debate when he met with reporters. He said, "Only through a one-on-one debate will the differences in thoughts and the respective strengths and weaknesses of the two candidates be clearly revealed." He added, "I earnestly request once more—whenever and in whatever format, if you agree to a one-on-one debate, I will go anywhere to participate."

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