Jeong Won-oh, a preliminary candidate for Seoul mayor from the Democratic Party of Korea, directly attacked signature projects of Mayor Oh Se-hoon's administration, calling the "Garden of Gratitude" a "prime example of tax waste" and noting that the Han River bus service "has received poor marks for efficiency as a transportation option."
At a press conference held at Sangyeonjae in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 11th, Jeong said, "We should do what citizens want, not what the mayor wants," adding that "the Garden of Gratitude situation is the result of a mayor pushing through a project citizens did not want."
Seoul Metropolitan Government has been constructing the Garden of Gratitude in Gwanghwamun Square to express appreciation and respect for the 22 nations that participated in the Korean War. However, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport determined that the project violated the National Land Planning Act and Road Act, issuing a stop-work order to the city on the 3rd of this month.
"The project has now stalled due to procedural violations, and citizens are bewildered about how the taxes already spent will be handled and what burdens lie ahead," Jeong said. "I will prepare a plan to address and supplement major tax-wasting projects including the Garden of Gratitude and present it as a campaign pledge."
Regarding the Han River bus service, he emphasized that "my position has consistently been that safety comes first." He stated, "Although docks and vessels have already been built and boats are operating, I will conduct a comprehensive safety review with Korea's top experts, separate from previous assessments." He added, "Given the many assessments that it lacks efficiency as a transportation option, I am skeptical about maintaining it for transit purposes," while noting that "if safety cannot be ensured, decisive action is necessary even if costs already incurred become sunk costs."
On the Yongsan International Business District, he dismissed the city's plan as "lacking appeal to businesses." Jeong said, "The Yongsan International Business District is a decisive foothold for Seoul to leap forward as Asia's economic and cultural capital and a global G2 city. Under the current plan, it will be difficult to attract Asian headquarters of global companies. There are no advantages from a corporate perspective."
He proposed designating the Yongsan area as an international research and business special zone, introducing a package of relaxed visa requirements and corporate tax incentives. "Since headquarters executives relocate with their families, attracting foreign international schools is essential along with visa relaxation," Jeong explained. "We will create an ecosystem combining work, residence, and education, like Tokyo's Azabudai Hills." On the dispute between Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Land over housing supply scale, he drew a line, saying "10,000 units is certainly possible structurally, and this is a secondary issue that can be adjusted alongside the special zone design."
For long-term housing supply direction, he presented a "Four-Pronged Demand-Tailored Strategy." On redevelopment and reconstruction, Jeong said, "Mayor Oh Se-hoon's advance negotiation approach received public support but had limitations in not taking responsibility through actual groundbreaking." He pledged to "convert the Rapid Integrated Planning into 'Step-by-Step Development' that takes responsibility through groundbreaking, simultaneously improving both speed and safety." He also outlined plans to gradually transfer maintenance zone designation authority to district offices starting with complexes of fewer than 500 units, and to assign civil servant managers to each zone for close support throughout the entire project process.
To supplement the supply structure skewed toward expensive private apartments, he said he would expand "value apartments" supplied at 70-80% of market price through both private and public sale methods. He also presented youth and newlywed rental housing and senior service apartments preparing for a super-aged society as separate pillars. "Senior apartments that provide medical care, welfare, and caregiving services at home will see the greatest demand going forward," he said. "Seoul Metropolitan Government will directly create and supply the model."
To address housing difficulties for university students, he mentioned the Hanyang University dormitory case he pursued as Seongdong District Mayor, emphasizing that "we will establish a win-win model with studio apartment landlords and significantly expand dormitories at major Seoul universities." Regarding low-rise residential areas, he added, "We will introduce a management system at the level of apartment management offices to systematically manage safety and living environments."
Asked about his competitive edge differentiating him from other candidates ahead of the party primary, he highlighted his experience as three-term Seongdong District Mayor. "Citizens place greater weight on experience and achievements that have actually changed their lives rather than grandiose visions or associations with particular figures," Jeong said. "My advantage is concrete experience and achievements in transforming citizens' lives and improving satisfaction."
