[2026 Parliamentary Audit] Oh Se-hoon: "Housing Supply Without Interruption"... Clash Expected Over Real Estate and Judicial Issues

Oh Sehoon: "Sustained Supply Eases Housing Insecurity"
Appeal verdict due on the 23rd; clashes over judicial issues expected
Seun 4 District, Yongsan Park and other major projects under scrutiny

Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon announced that construction had begun on 15,000 housing units, saying, "The foundation for housing supply is translating into construction starts and move-ins."

Oh made the remarks while explaining the city's housing policies in his opening address at the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of the Seoul Metropolitan Government at Seoul City Hall on the morning of October 15. "Guided by the principle that sufficient and steady supply is the starting point for easing housing insecurity, we have accelerated redevelopment projects through Rapid Integrated Planning," he said, pledging to eliminate regulations and expand housing supply.

Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon takes an oath during a parliamentary audit by the Public Administration and Security Committee at Seoul City Hall on the 15th. Yonhap News Agency

He also announced measures to address mounting pressure in the jeonse and monthly rental markets. "We will broaden the foundation for private rental housing supply to support stability in the rental market," he said.

That day, Oh outlined "Seoul, a Special City for Quality of Life," the policy direction for his ninth popularly elected administration, and described plans to improve residents' lives across areas including health, housing, culture and safety. "Even if Seoul becomes wealthier and stronger, that growth is not enough if residents' worries do not ease and their sense of well-being and happiness does not grow," he said. "The starting point for the Seoul Metropolitan Government's work, and the standard for measuring its performance, must be residents' lives."

On projects related to the Han River, he said the Han River Bus, which began regular service in September 2025, had carried more than 700,000 passengers cumulatively, and that a waterfront cultural space on Nodeul Global Art Island opened in September 2026. In the area of safety, he said the city would step up ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys to prevent ground subsidence and safety inspections at construction sites, while expanding everyday safety infrastructure such as the Seoul Safety Bell and facilities to address heat waves.

At the Seoul Metropolitan Government audit, which will continue into the afternoon, the ruling and opposition parties are expected to engage in heated exchanges over judicial issues and real estate policies, among other topics. The Democratic Party of Korea is expected to raise allegations that Oh had a third party pay for opinion polls conducted by Myung Tae-gyun.

Oh was sentenced at trial to a fine of 10 million won on charges of commissioning Myung to conduct opinion polls ahead of the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election and having a third party cover the associated costs. With Oh's appellate ruling scheduled for October 23, the audit is expected to see further debate over the allegations and their potential impact on the Seoul Metropolitan Government's work going forward.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government's real estate policies are also seen as a major issue. The ruling and opposition parties sharply disagree in their interpretations of rising home prices in Seoul, housing supply figures and the progress of redevelopment projects. Scrutiny is also expected of major development projects, including Yongsan Park and Seun 4 District. The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the central government have disagreed over how to use available sites, including Yongsan Park, and how to supply housing. The dispute over Seun 4 District has escalated to include criminal complaints and lawsuits.

Other long-running controversies are also expected to resurface, including the Han River Bus and missing rebar on Section A of the Metropolitan Area Express (GTX). Issues such as reform of Seoul's quasi-public bus operating system and the normalization of TBS may also be discussed.

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