[Edaily Jeong Yun-ji Reporter] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated that following his meeting with Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Kim Yoon-deok, “we were at an impasse regarding Yongsan Park.” Although a compromise proposal—involving the development of certain plots within the park—was put forward in relation to 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 available sites near Yongsan Park.”

Mayor Oh held a meeting with Minister Kim for about 50 minutes at an undisclosed location in Seoul on the 20th. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mayor Oh said, “I clearly stated the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s position that under no circumstances can we agree to the entire Yongsan Park site being used for apartment construction,” adding, “I even went so far as to say that agreeing to that would result in me, as mayor, being remembered as a criminal against history.”

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 his stance 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, “Both the Defense Acquisition Program Administration site and the Yongsan Park site are areas designated for conversion into parks.”

He continued, “The government’s logic is that sites with existing structures can be used, but I firmly 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 Gyeongnidan 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 urban infrastructure installation 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. “Today’s meeting did not mean that everything broke down; we agreed to continue discussions next week and concluded the meeting on that note,” he said, adding, “Discussions will continue going forward.”