Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, said he will establish new business districts in Seongsu, Wangsimni and Cheongnyangni (northeastern Seoul), and Sinchon and Hongdae (western Seoul). The plan aims to shift development demand, which has been concentrated south of the Han River belt in Yeouido and Gangnam, by creating two new business districts in northern Seoul. Jung explained that he will announce additional pledges to promote high-density development and provide incentives to enhance the project viability of business district development in the northeastern and western areas.
Regarding the People Power Party's "framing" that redevelopment projects would be delayed if he is elected, Jung declared a head-on confrontation, saying, "I will complete the reconstruction of Eunma Apartments and Jamsil Jugong 5 Complex within my term." On the controversy over abolishing the long-term holding special deduction, which the camp of Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, has been attacking, Jung countered, "My consistent position is that owners' rights should be protected except for speculative purposes," adding, "(The opposition) is even making actual residents anxious."
-What pledge would you most like to introduce?
△To make Seoul a global G2 city, I plan to create new business-centered districts. Currently, there are three business districts — Gwanghwamun, Yeouido, and Gangnam. I will create a new business district in the northeast by linking Seongsu, Wangsimni, and Cheongnyangni. In the west, I will link Sinchon and Hongdae to create new dual-axis business districts. To this end, I will pursue high-density mixed-use development in these areas, and I plan to soon announce specific pledges including incentives for this.
-You presented "Chak-chak Development" as a real estate development pledge. How much supply is specifically possible?
△Mayor Oh pledged during his election campaign to provide 360,000 homes or 80,000 homes each year. He hasn't achieved even half of that. There's no point in just talking about supply. I will revise the Act on the Maintenance and Improvement of Urban Areas and Dwelling Conditions to quickly advance redevelopment projects that take a long time. To enhance project viability, I will realize the purchase costs of rental housing. I will also dispatch managers under the direct command of the mayor to each urban redevelopment district so that projects can be promoted quickly and safely at each stage.
-Can the reconstruction of Eunma Apartments and Jamsil Jugong 5 Complex, which have been pursuing redevelopment for decades, be completed during your term?
△I believe it naturally has to go that way.
-The Oh camp is attacking with real estate policies such as the abolition of the long-term holding special deduction.
△I have clearly stated my position on the long-term holding special deduction. The current rights of single-home owners who actually reside in their homes must be protected as they are. Even for non-residents, rights must be protected except in cases where speculative purposes are clear. This is my consistent position. Yet they are attacking this and even making actual residents anxious.
-The opposition is also attacking the push for the so-called "prosecution withdrawal special counsel."
△That's something for the legislative branch to do. If the work of the legislative branch is brought to local government and everything is turned into political strife, ultimately the citizens will suffer.
-How would you assess Candidate Oh's previous administration?
△In a word, it started with a roar and ended with a whimper. Didn't Mayor Oh resign during his earlier term over an absurd matter (the free school meals referendum) while eyeing the presidency? It was done with an eye on the presidency. It's the same after he came back. For five years, he eyed the presidency while only pursuing large-scale projects. They are projects with only a big appearance, display-oriented events, and the like.
-What is the biggest significance of this local election?
△This election is one that replaces the capability of local government. It's an election to coordinate with and create synergy with the central government. If Candidate Oh is elected, Seoul will be placed in a whirlwind of political strife for four years. Candidate Oh will continue to sharpen his edge against President Lee and look toward the presidential election. Ultimately, it is the citizens who will suffer.
-Over the so-called "Myung-pick," some have raised concerns that Seoul city administration will be too subordinate to the central government.
△During Mayor Oh's term, he was in the same party as former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Was there any problem? Rather, Mayor Oh didn't consult with the central government. The Banpo Deopgae Park is a representative example. Mayor Oh should have consulted with the government to resolve it, but he didn't consult with the president. In the end, it was resolved under the Lee Jae-myung administration. I will actively consult with the government to protect citizens' interests in ministries.
-There are 30 days left until the local elections. How is the election landscape?
△Polls show us leading by 10 to 15 percentage points, but the Seoul mayoral race will be a close contest. Still, the atmosphere on the ground is getting better and better.
