[Exclusive Interview] Oh Se-hoon: "No Disruption to Yongsan Development Despite Office Relocation"

Repeated Confirmation with President-elect and Transition Team
Revamping Green Ecology in Gangbuk Old Downtown

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] "I received a clear confirmation that there is absolutely no intention to restrict urban planning due to the necessity of presidential security."

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated in an exclusive interview with Asia Economy on the afternoon of the 5th at the Seoul Mayor's Office in Seoul City Hall, Jung-gu, Seoul, "If the security level is lowered just a little, there is some room for urban planning," adding, "I have repeatedly confirmed through the president-elect and the Presidential Transition Committee that the urban planning related to the Yongsan area, which Seoul City is promoting, will not be affected by the presidential office to be established in Yongsan." Mayor Oh emphasized that he confirmed this during a meeting with President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol and also met with Ryu Hun, Seoul City's 2nd Deputy Mayor, as well as officials from the transition committee and the security office to exchange practical opinions. He said, "We have preemptively checked the possibilities that may arise."

Mayor Oh evaluated Yongsan, which will become the new political hotspot due to the relocation of the presidential office, as a space with infinite potential and possibilities. He stressed, "Once the presidential office is established and the U.S. military base is relocated, the Yongsan Park and the railroad maintenance depot site will become unfinished open spaces under Seoul City's jurisdiction," adding, "How we develop this area will determine Seoul's future."

The Blue House space, where the presidential office will be relocated from, is planned to be renovated with the core concept of 'green ecology.' Seoul City will soon release a master plan for urban planning to transform the old downtown area of Gangbuk, which extends from Cheonggye-ro, Yulgok-ro, Eulji-ro, to Toegye-ro 1-8 ga. Mayor Oh emphasized, "There is one axis from the foot of Bukaksan (the mountain behind the Blue House) through the Blue House, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Station, and along Hangang-ro to Yongsan, and another green axis from Bukaksan through Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, passing Seun Shopping Center, to Namsan and then Yongsan. After the local elections, the person in charge of city administration should draw the blueprint related to this."

▶Exclusive Interview with Oh Se-hoon

-Oh Se-hoon: "No disruption to Yongsan development due to office relocation"

-[Oh Se-hoon Interview] ① "Seoul urban planning is a new start... The person in charge should take action"

-[Oh Se-hoon Interview] ② "I give myself 50 points for one year’s evaluation... There is more I couldn’t do"

-[Oh Se-hoon Interview] ③ "If elected, I will first improve the quality of public rental housing"