Park "Cannot build 170,000 houses above the river," Woo "Is 300,000 houses possible?"... 'Real Estate Debate'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] As the Democratic Party of Korea's Seoul mayoral primary voting begins on the 26th, the two preliminary candidates, Park Young-sun and Woo Sang-ho, engaged in a heated debate during the final debate by questioning the feasibility of each other's real estate pledges.

At the KBS debate held on the 25th, Candidate Park criticized Candidate Woo's pledge to create artificial land above Gangbyeonbuk-ro to supply public housing, saying, "There are apartments built by the riverside, but I have never seen apartments built above a highway." In response, Candidate Woo said, "In Manhattan's East River in the U.S., there are multiple facilities and complex apartments above a road with 170,000 vehicles passing daily," adding, "It has already been proven possible overseas."

When Candidate Park countered, "Even if built, there is no space to build 170,000 units," Candidate Woo emphasized feasibility, saying, "This plan was made after consulting with district mayors. It is a plan thoroughly discussed on-site." Candidate Park then pointed out, "The foundation work alone will take a considerable amount of time. The construction period will be long," to which Candidate Woo replied, "With modern technology, it is possible to complete from design to construction within 4 years. Generously, 5 years."

Candidate Woo criticized Candidate Park's 'vertical garden' pledge and the pledge to supply 300,000 public housing units. Candidate Woo said, "A vertical garden with 5,000 trees and various facilities cannot be realized without a 30 to 40-story high-rise building. Is there space for such buildings in Gangbuk?" Candidate Park responded, "Depending on the location, various types of vertical gardens can be implemented."

Regarding the pledge to supply 300,000 units, Candidate Woo said, "According to Seoul City's review report, even if large-scale public housing complexes in Gangbuk are fully developed, only 3,000 households would be created. Even increasing the floor area ratio, 300,000 units seem very difficult." Candidate Park stated, "There are plans to relocate the Yongsan train depot and Guro vehicle depot, and if the floor area ratio in the city center is increased, there is plenty of land in Seoul."