Why Did Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Who Rarely Raised His Voice, Get So Angry?

Seoul City Senior Official Makes Inappropriate Remarks at Meeting with Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Request for Ministry Audit... Seoul City Housing Policy Director Position Converted to Open Recruitment (Level 1) ? Coincidence?

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon recently became very angry.

Mayor Oh is known for rarely losing his temper. However, it was reported that a Seoul city official made inappropriate remarks during a housing policy meeting with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT).

According to Yonhap News, official A from Seoul City reportedly used abusive language towards a MOLIT employee during the ‘Moatown Site Selection Meeting’ held on the 16th of last month, after a disagreement over the timing of an announcement.

The meeting was said to have been a large one, attended by about 20 people. After the meeting, official A reportedly sent a text message apologizing to the person involved, but MOLIT requested an audit from the Seoul City Audit Committee, which was conducted and reported to Mayor Oh.

Upon receiving this report, Mayor Oh was said to have shouted loudly enough to be heard outside his office, saying, “If we want to increase housing supply, we need to reach an agreement with MOLIT. How can such a thing happen in a meeting?”

Seoul City official B said, "Since Mayor Oh took office, I have never seen him this angry."

Moatown, Mayor Oh’s flagship project, is a district-level redevelopment method that bundles old residential areas to supply quality housing and expand convenience facilities such as underground parking lots.

Seoul City announced 21 target sites on the 21st of last month.

Official A, who angered Mayor Oh, is also known for speaking bluntly to staff, which has not earned him favorable evaluations.

Seoul City began recruiting for the Director of Housing Policy (open position, Grade 1) on the 1st of this month. The term is two years, with the possibility of extension up to five years based on performance, and if performance is outstanding, the total appointment period may exceed five years.

Accordingly, it seems likely that official A will be transferred to another position.