Oh Se-hoon "Kim Heon-dong, Dedicated His Life to Deflating Housing Price Bubbles" Appointment Intent

Revealed at the Public Administration and Security Committee's Seoul City Audit

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on the 19th expressed his intention to appoint Kim Heon-dong, former head of the Real Estate and Construction Reform Headquarters at the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ), who has been nominated as the president of Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH Corporation), describing him as "a person who has devoted his life to the movement to deflate apartment price bubbles."

At the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's audit held at Seoul City Hall that morning, Mayor Oh said, "His views align well with many of the policies that Seoul City can adopt and implement to stabilize real estate prices."

Kim, the former head, was recommended as a candidate for SH president after a second round of selection. Regarding this, Yang Ki-dae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised suspicions, claiming that Kim was effectively preselected and the procedures were merely a formality.

In response, Mayor Oh denied the allegations, stating, "Although I did suggest considering the public recruitment during the initial call for applications, I have not met him since he was eliminated from the recruitment process." When asked about having a phone conversation, he replied, "I do not recall."

When Representative Yang reiterated suspicions, saying, "There are talks of an unseen role played in the process where a candidate who failed the recruitment was recommended as the first choice," Mayor Oh emphasized, "Among the seven members of the executive recommendation committee, three are from the City Council (controlled by the ruling party), and two are directors appointed by the previous mayor. I believe the evaluation was more objective than ever before."

Regarding the disqualification of both candidates nominated in the second recruitment, Mayor Oh explained, "Although they had sufficient experience, upon investigating disqualifying factors for appointment, issues were found. I want to clarify because it seems there is a misunderstanding that I made the final decision and personally vetted those candidates."

Kim, the former head, will be appointed as SH president after a hearing by the Seoul City Council. Although the hearing results are not binding, they can be burdensome. When Representative Yang asked, "If the City Council decides they are unqualified, would you refrain from appointing them?" Mayor Oh responded, "It is not appropriate to speculate in advance," but added, "Considering his career, including his enthusiastic work at a construction company and as an aide," effectively expressing his refusal.