Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon launched his reelection campaign in the Gangbuk-gu district with a primary focus on expanding housing supply [1].
As apartment prices soar in the capital, the housing crisis has become a central pillar of the mayoral race. The outcome of the election will determine whether Seoul pursues large-scale apartment developments or smaller-scale residential renovations to stabilize the market.
Oh, the candidate for the People Power Party (PPP), officially registered as a prospective candidate on April 27, 2026 [2]. He began his first campaign stops in early May, promoting a platform centered on the slogan "Housing for all" [1]. His plan emphasizes neighborhood face-lifts, and the improvement of living conditions across the city [1].
"Housing for all" is one of the central messages from Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon, said Ahn Sung-jin, a political correspondent for Arirang News [1].
While the PPP nominated Oh as its candidate on April 18, 2026 [3], the campaign has since shifted toward specific policy debates. Recent clashes between candidates have focused on the type of housing supply needed, specifically the tension between promoting villas versus high-rise apartments [4].
Oh's campaign aims to address the affordability gap by increasing the overall number of available units. This strategy seeks to balance the demand for modern apartments with the need for sustainable neighborhood revitalization [1].
The local elections in Seoul are scheduled for June 3, 2026 [3].
“"Housing for all" is one of the central messages from Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon.”
The focus on 'housing for all' reflects a broader political struggle in Seoul to balance urban modernization with affordability. By prioritizing neighborhood face-lifts and supply expansion, Oh is attempting to appeal to a diverse electorate that includes both homeowners seeking property value increases and renters struggling with soaring costs. The debate between villas and apartments indicates a strategic divide in how the city will manage density and urban planning for the next term.
