Seoul Mayoral Candidates from Democratic Party Criticize Jung Wono: "His Real Estate Philosophy Differs from President Lee's"

Kim Youngbae, Park Jumin, and Jeon Hyunhee Target Jung Wono

"Jung Wono Claims Rising Real Estate Prices as an Administrative Achievement"

"Seongsu-dong in Seongdong-gu Suffers the Most Severe Gentrification"

Park Jumin and Jeon Hyunhee, both members of the National Assembly and preliminary candidates for the Democratic Party's Seoul mayoral race, criticized former Seongdong District Mayor Jung Wono on March 19, stating, "We have never seen anyone claim rising real estate prices as an administrative achievement," and questioned, "Does this not suggest a real estate policy philosophy that differs from that of the Lee Jaemyung administration?"

They made these remarks during the first joint debate for the Seoul mayoral preliminary candidates, which was broadcast live on SBS’s 'Joo Youngjin’s News Briefing' that day.

(Seoul=Yonhap News) On the 19th, a joint debate for the Democratic Party's Seoul mayoral preliminary election was held at SBS Prism Tower in Mapo-gu, Seoul. From left: Kim Youngbae, Kim Hyungnam, Jeon Hyunhee, Jung Wono, and Park Jumin, the preliminary candidates. March 19, 2026 [SBS broadcast screen capture. Resale and DB prohibited] Photo by YNA

During her turn to lead the discussion, Assemblywoman Jeon said, "I saw a media report that former Mayor Jung, during a lecture at an organization, cited the rise in Seongdong-gu housing prices as an unprecedented case of development in Seoul," and asked for Assemblyman Park's opinion.

In response, Assemblyman Park said, "I believe the core value of the Democratic Party's real estate policy should be to aim for market stabilization."

Former Mayor Jung countered, "My point was that by diligently addressing long-standing local issues and revitalizing the local economy, residents’ happiness increases and the value of the area rises."

Additionally, during his own turn to lead the discussion, Assemblyman Park challenged former Mayor Jung, saying, "During private development, you accepted public rental housing units, but didn’t you say you would receive for-sale apartments instead of rental units? You said they would be supplied at 70–80% of market price. President Lee Jaemyung has previously criticized the conversion of rental units into for-sale units during a Cabinet meeting. Isn’t this in conflict with the President’s governing philosophy?"

Assemblyman Park also indirectly criticized former Mayor Jung by asking Assemblywoman Jeon to explain the gentrification phenomenon in Seongdong-gu. Assemblywoman Jeon stated, "Former Mayor Jung said in a media interview that there is no gentrification in Seongdong-gu, but Seongsu-dong in Seongdong-gu is actually the area most affected by gentrification. The rate of increase in commercial rent in Seongsu-dong is the highest in Seoul."

Assemblyman Kim Youngbae also took aim at former Mayor Jung, saying, "You have not announced many housing pledges. I have made 12 pledges, while you have done so only once or twice. There is no clear vision for housing supply." In response, former Mayor Jung argued, "I could not announce pledges due to my duties as district mayor and election law restrictions."

On this day, the preliminary candidates most frequently selected the 'Speedy Integrated Planning' (Shintong Planning) as the policy from Mayor Oh Sehoon’s administration that should be continued.

Assemblywoman Jeon, Assemblyman Park, and former Mayor Jung all agreed with the intent of simplifying permitting procedures to shorten the timelines for housing redevelopment and reconstruction. Assemblyman Park remarked, "While Shintong Planning has not produced substantial results, the attempt itself is positive. If I become mayor, in addition to integrated reviews, I will divide the bottlenecks in permitting authority so that administrative procedures can proceed more swiftly."

Assemblyman Kim said, "I will carry on with Mayor Oh’s basic idea of the Climate Companion Card. However, the Climate Companion Card does not work in Gyeonggi Province. I will integrate it with the K-Pass, make village buses free, and expand the supply of electric Ddarungi bikes."

As for policies that should be abolished, Assemblywoman Jeon pointed to the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Assemblyman Park cited the Han River bus project, and Assemblyman Kim selected the Han River bus project and Nodle Island’s soundscape as part of the ‘Great Han River’ policy. Former Mayor Jung stated, "Rather than abolishing policies at the mayor’s discretion, I would have citizens decide through a vote."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.