Oh Se-hoon takes aim at Lee government... says “the time for truth is coming” amid legal troubles

[Financial News] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon took aim at the Lee Jae-myung administration’s governance and real estate policies. He cited housing insecurity as a major cause of the recent decline in government approval ratings and expressed strong concerns about the government’s approach to prosecution reform. Ahead of the appeal verdict, scheduled for the 23rd, in the case involving allegations that polling costs were paid on Myung Tae-gyun’s behalf, he reiterated his claim of innocence, saying, “The time for truth is approaching.”

At a press conference marking 100 days since the start of his ninth popularly elected term, held at Seoul City Hall in Jung District, Seoul, on the 7th, Mayor Oh spoke about the recent decline in the president’s job approval rating: “I feel and take it as a plea from citizens, almost a cry of desperation.”
He singled out the burden of housing costs as a factor behind the decline in approval ratings. He explained that when housing costs rise while incomes remain limited, disposable income and living expenses inevitably shrink, making life harder for citizens. Citing a “triple surge,” with home sale prices, jeonse deposits and monthly rents all rising at once, Mayor Oh said, “A government that has failed to keep home prices and jeonse and monthly rents low cannot receive a favorable assessment.”
He also took a critical stance on the government’s prosecution reform plans. He argued that reducing the prosecution’s investigative authority and concentrating that authority in the police could undermine checks and balances between investigative agencies. Mayor Oh said, “People are concerned about whether the hostility this administration has toward the prosecution is being manifested in this way, and whether it is acceptable to bring down one side of the national system.” He added, “I will continue to speak out against changes that tout reform in this misguided and undesirable direction.”
He also rejected the idea of treating expanded real estate supply as an achievement of the government. Responding to the president’s recent characterization of increases in permits and construction starts in Seoul and the capital region as a result of the government’s speed-focused push, he countered, “It is truly illogical to suggest that the current increase in the volume of permits is somehow due to the government’s push for speed.” He said it was instead the result of Seoul’s efforts over the past five years to accelerate the designation of redevelopment zones, the formation of housing associations and project approvals. As evidence, Mayor Oh noted that from January through August this year, cumulative housing permits in Seoul totaled 39,940 units, up about 40% from the same period a year earlier, and that more than half—22,000 units—were from redevelopment projects.
Mayor Oh also pushed back against President Lee Jae-myung’s recent description of rising home prices in Seoul’s outer areas as “flattening,” calling it “upward leveling.” He said apartment sale prices had recently fallen in Gangnam and Seocho, while apartment sale prices in outer districts such as Seongbuk, Seodaemun, Jungnang, Nowon and Gangbuk had risen by 2–3%, bringing the overall increase across Seoul to 1.31%.
He said, “Even home prices in the outer areas, which were relatively affordable, are rising this sharply. Calling this ‘flattening’ is wrong from any perspective.”
However, he said coordination with the government was needed to expand housing supply. Mayor Oh believes the target of starting construction on 310,000 homes by 2031 can be met only if government-level institutional improvements—such as easing restrictions on transfers of housing association membership and increasing floor-area ratios—are paired with Seoul’s policies to accelerate redevelopment projects. He said he had requested a meeting with Hong Ji-seon, the land, infrastructure and transport minister, adding, “There are things Seoul can do, and there are things the government needs to help with.”

He stood by his position amid the controversy over high-rise development in Sewoon District 4, adjacent to Jongmyo Shrine. Responding to criticism that historic preservation and high-rise development were in conflict, Mayor Oh said, “If you look at the intent behind those policies, they are not in conflict at all.” He said that creating a green corridor 80 meters wide and 1 kilometer long after demolishing Sewoon Arcade would instead enhance Jongmyo’s historical and cultural value. He explained, “Seoul is pursuing this project because we are convinced that once Sewoon Arcade is torn down and greenery is created there, Jongmyo will be transformed into a place that stands out more than any other historic site in the world—a place where its value as a cultural asset is most prominent.”
He said he was fully open to the possibility of jointly hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics with Jeollabuk-do. Mayor Oh said, “Seoul is prepared to accept any kind of proposal Jeonbuk makes,” and explained that it was important to develop a concrete implementation plan acceptable to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), including the locations of the athletes’ and media villages.
Meanwhile, regarding the appeal in the case involving allegations that polling costs were paid on Myung Tae-gyun’s behalf, for which a ruling is expected this month, Mayor Oh expressed confidence in the outcome, saying, “A lot of new evidence that was not found in the first trial has been submitted.” He said, “First, I feel truly sorry to many citizens that I have found myself facing this trial,” adding, “I am now waiting for the result with a humble heart.” He went on to emphasize, “The truth always comes to light, and when it does, the time is approaching when the prosecution and the special counsel, which conducted an excessive investigation, will have to take responsibility.”
[email protected] Reporters Seong Cho-rong and Lee Seol-young
[email protected] Seong Cho-rong, Lee Seol-young Reporter