Blue House to Oh Se-hoon: "You're not without responsibility for Seoul's real estate... Work with the government"

"President Lee Jaemyung's increased social media activity reflects his sense of urgency about the current situation... actively communicating with the public"
On Kang Hoon-sik's future: "He watched the Nuri launch with the president toda

On October 7, Cheong Wa Dae urged Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who has been criticizing the government's real estate policies in recent days, to work with the government, saying he must also share responsibility for housing prices and jeonse and monthly rental issues in Seoul. It also said that the recent sharp increase in President Lee Jae-myung's social media activity reflected his serious concern over falling public approval of his administration and misunderstandings about its policies, as well as his determination to communicate directly with the public.

The phoenix flag flies over Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Dec. 29, 2025, as President Lee Jaemyung heads to work, marking the official return to the Cheong Wa Dae era after three years and seven months. Photo by Cho Yongjun.

Asked by reporters that day about Mayor Oh's recent criticism of real estate policies, a Cheong Wa Dae official said, "I'm not sure it is appropriate for the Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson to comment on Mayor Oh Se-hoon's remarks," adding, "But it is not as though Mayor Oh has no responsibility for Seoul's real estate problems." The official continued, "I hope he will work closely with the government to address Seoul's real estate problems and take an active role in tackling supply issues and the difficulties facing people seeking jeonse and monthly rentals." The remarks were seen as emphasizing that the Seoul Metropolitan Government also shares responsibility for housing supply and stability, in response to Mayor Oh's criticism blaming government policies for unstable housing prices and jeonse and monthly rents in the Seoul metropolitan area.

The official addressed concerns about the recent surge in President Lee's social media messages, saying they were part of an effort to communicate actively with the public. "The president's active use of social media is nothing new," the official said. "It is well known that he has consistently communicated with the public and promoted policies through social media from his time as mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province through to his presidency."

The official added that President Lee's sense of urgency over the current state of affairs was also behind the sharp increase in recent posts. "It seems the president views the current situation as urgent," the official said. "It is also true that recent assessments of the administration and its approval ratings have declined." The official continued, "This shows his determination to communicate actively with the public about these issues. He believes that misunderstandings have accumulated, and that if there are misunderstandings, they should be addressed through active communication. He also believes it is necessary to accurately convey the policy achievements of the past one year and four months."

The official declined to comment on speculation about the future of Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, who has offered his resignation, or the selection of his successor. Asked about potential candidates for the post and the timing of the appointment, the official said, "I don't know who is being mentioned as a possible successor," adding, "It would not be appropriate to comment on personnel matters." The official nevertheless said, "The chief of staff watched the Nuri launch with the president today, didn't he? Perhaps the fact that they watched it together can serve as a partial answer." That day, Kang watched the fifth launch of Nuri in real time from the presidential office, together with President Lee, Policy Chief Ha Joon-kyung and Senior Presidential Secretary for AI Future Planning Lee Hae-min.

Asked about former President Yoon Suk Yeol's acquittal in an appeals court in a case involving allegations that he received free opinion polls from political broker Myung Tae-gyun, the official offered no assessment, saying, "I don't think this is an issue on which Cheong Wa Dae should express a specific position, as it concerns a trial."

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