[Edaily Reporter Jeong Yun-ji ] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated that following his meeting with Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Kim Yoon-deok, “our positions on Yongsan Park remained at odds.” Although a compromise proposal—involving the development of certain plots within the park—was put forward regarding the government’s housing supply policy for Yongsan Park, the meeting only served to confirm their differing views. Mayor Oh stated, “We will actively review sites near Yongsan Park that can be utilized.”

Mayor Oh held a meeting with Minister Kim at an undisclosed location in Seoul for about 50 minutes on the 20th. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mayor Oh said, “I clearly stated that under no circumstances will the Seoul Metropolitan Government agree to the use of the entire Yongsan Park site for apartment construction,” adding, “I conveyed my position by even going so far as to say that agreeing to that would result in me, as mayor, going down in history as a criminal.”

It is reported that Minister Kim mentioned the development of Yongsan Park to Mayor Oh during the meeting but did not specify any particular sites. However, on the 19th, Minister Kim had previously stated at the National Assembly that the government would consider designating certain areas within the Yongsan Park site—which have lost their functions as parks and green spaces—for housing development. Specifically, officers’ quarters, military apartments, and the former Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) site were mentioned.

Mayor Oh reportedly expressed that he could not make any concessions on this matter. He said, “I understood from Minister Kim that they are still considering which specific areas to include,” but added, “The DAPA site is also part of the Yongsan Park area and was designated for conversion into a park.”

He continued, “The government’s logic is that sites with existing buildings can be used, but I strongly corrected that point,” emphasizing, “Yongsan Park has not been damaged; the entire area is land used by military units. The intent of the law is to develop it into a national garden, similar to Seoul Forest.”

Mayor Oh proposed alternative sites to Minister Kim, including the Camp Kim site in Yongsan, the Gyeongridan site, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs parking lot. Mayor Oh stated, “I expressed my willingness to proactively assist with traffic management measures and plans for installing urban infrastructure regarding a nearby site recently proposed by Rep. Kwon Young-se of the People Power Party, whose constituency includes Yongsan.”

The two also reaffirmed their differing positions on the scale of housing to be supplied in the Yongsan International Business District. Furthermore, regarding the government’s plan to build rental housing for young people, Mayor Oh stated that more effective measures—such as lifting loan restrictions—are needed. He explained, “What young people truly consider to be an effective solution is the lifting of loan restrictions,” adding, “Since that falls under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s discretion, I asked for their assistance.”

Mayor Oh expressed his intention to meet with Minister Kim again in the future to continue the dialogue. “Today’s meeting did not mark a complete breakdown; we agreed to continue discussions next week and concluded the meeting on that note,” he said, adding, “Discussions will continue going forward.”