Gangnam-gu Mayor Jeong Soon-gyun 'Seoul Medical Center Site Development' Clash with Mayor Oh Se-hoon?

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[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangnam District Mayor Jeong Soon-gyun is set to face off against Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

On the 14th, regarding the "Press Conference Opposing the Change of the District Unit Plan for the Seoul Medical Center Site," Mayor Jeong criticized Seoul City's spokesperson's demand that "Gangnam District Mayor stop using administration as a political tool ahead of the local elections," calling it "an insulting remark that distorts and belittles the reasonable and legitimate demands of 570,000 Gangnam residents and Gangnam District, and rather Seoul City is the one politicizing the issue first," and requested measures against those involved.

Mayor Jeong stated, "Gangnam residents have opposed the government's plan announced in the August 4th measures last year to supply 3,000 public housing units on the north side of the Seoul Medical Center site. However, after Mayor Oh Se-hoon's election, proposing to build an additional 200 to 300 public housing units here through a land swap with the Songhyeon-dong site completely disregards the Gangnam residents," and repeatedly demanded the withdrawal of this plan and a meeting with Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

Gangnam District's demand on the 7th for Seoul City to withdraw the public housing plan for the Seoul Medical Center site stems from the fact that the issue of supplying 3,000 public housing units, which Gangnam residents oppose, has not yet been resolved, while Seoul City is proceeding with the public notice for the district unit plan to add public housing construction on the Seoul Medical Center site. Furthermore, the process is being pushed unilaterally by Seoul City.

Mayor Jeong pointed out, "On August 26th, Seoul City officials, including department heads, visited and only unilaterally notified us of the district unit plan. Since then, despite Gangnam District pointing out problems and requesting a meeting with Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Seoul City has consistently ignored us and suddenly proceeded with the public notice on the 7th."

He added, "Nevertheless, Seoul City, through a spokesperson's statement, claimed groundlessly that Gangnam District is 'maliciously misleading public opinion with incorrect administrative actions' and 'attacking by abusing administration as a political tool ahead of local elections,' which hurt the pride of Gangnam residents."

Regarding the supply of public housing in Gangnam District, Mayor Jeong said, "This is not opposition to public housing construction on the Seoul Medical Center site due to local selfishness, but rather we are preparing to develop this area in line with the original purpose of the International Exchange Complex District unit plan and to supply public housing through a third alternative." He added, "If a meeting with Mayor Oh Se-hoon is arranged, we will present alternatives."

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Seoul City announced last August the supply of 3,000 public housing units on the north side of the Seoul Medical Center site, but experts point out that even supplying micro-housing on the site, constructing more than 1,000 units is unrealistic. For this reason, Seoul City itself announced a plan in 2018 to supply 800 housing units on the site.

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