Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said to President Lee Jae-myung that the city opposes government plans to supply housing within the Yongsan Park site [1].
The disagreement highlights a growing tension between municipal urban planning and national housing targets. While the central government seeks to increase the housing supply to stabilize prices, the city government argues that utilizing parkland undermines environmental and historical preservation.
Oh spoke to the president and cabinet members following a recent cabinet meeting, saying that he had delivered the city's position [1]. He said that real estate regulations must be eased to promote housing supply and accelerate urban redevelopment and reconstruction projects [1].
This push for deregulation follows a series of government actions. Some of the city's recommendations were previously reflected in the Aug. 13 measures [2]. However, the proposal to build residential units in Yongsan Park remains a point of contention.
Oh previously met with Minister Kim Yun-deok on May 20, 2026, to confirm specific government policies regarding the site [3]. During that meeting and subsequent discussions, the mayor said that constructing housing in the park would damage its inherent value.
"I told the president and cabinet members clearly about the position of Seoul city," Oh said [1].
Regarding the broader housing market, Oh said that the government should focus on removing regulatory barriers rather than encroaching on public green spaces. He said that the city's priority is to ensure that development does not come at the cost of the park's historical integrity [1].
"Real estate regulations must be loosened," Oh said [1].
The mayor concluded his appeal by reiterating his stance on the park's preservation, saying that he opposes the government's plan to supply housing within the Yongsan Park site [1].
“"Real estate regulations must be loosened,"”
This conflict reflects a strategic divide in South Korea's approach to the housing crisis. The national government is prioritizing the immediate increase of housing units through available land, whereas the Seoul municipal government is advocating for a market-driven approach via deregulation and the preservation of urban green lungs. The outcome will determine whether historical land-use protections can withstand the pressure of national housing shortages.
