Oh: "The Prime Minister Should Be Visiting Real Estate Sites"
On Myung Taegyun Allegations: "The Special Prosecutor Will Not Be Able to Indict"
Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, who is pushing for the redevelopment of high-rise buildings at Sewoon Shopping Center in front of Jongmyo, criticized the government and the ruling party, who oppose the plan, saying, "They are creating a political issue domestically."
On November 11, during an appearance on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show," Mayor Oh stated regarding the high-rise redevelopment of Sewoon Shopping Center, "The sincerity began to be undermined as soon as Prime Minister Kim got involved," making the above remarks.
The previous day, Prime Minister Kim had visited Jongmyo in person and commented, "Whether or not to develop the area near Jongmyo is an issue that must go through national debate," and added, "Recently, the public may have felt insulted by Kim Keon-hee's frequent visits to Jongmyo, and now this controversy seems to be causing further public concern."
In response to these remarks, Mayor Oh said, "What does this have to do with Kim Keon-hee?" and pointed out, "You keep trying to provoke public sentiment-this is agitation."
Mayor Oh then addressed Prime Minister Kim, saying, "What the Prime Minister should be focusing on right now is running around to address real estate prices that resulted from the October 15 measures," and added, "As far as I recall, you have never visited such places."
On this day, Mayor Oh emphasized that the high-rise redevelopment of Sewoon Shopping Center would actually enhance the value of Jongmyo. He stated, "If there is a main beneficiary from demolishing Sewoon Shopping Center and creating green space, it is Jongmyo," and explained, "The Sewoon Shopping Center, which blocks the front of Jongmyo, will disappear, and the relocation costs will be covered by surrounding development profits, not by citizens' taxes."
Regarding concerns that the construction of high-rise buildings in front of Jongmyo would spoil the landscape, he said, "The buildings will not be constructed directly in front of Jongmyo, but rather on either side," and added, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government's plan takes into account both cultural and economic aspects."
When asked about the cross-examination with Myung Taegyun conducted by the special prosecutor on November 8, Mayor Oh stated, "The only evidence is Mr. Myung's statement; there are no recordings or audio files," and expressed confidence that the probability of the special prosecutor indicting him is "100 percent impossible." He added, "There is nothing but Mr. Myung's words and circumstantial evidence," and said, "Even if, by some chance, an indictment is made, I believe it would be impossible to sustain the charges in court."
Mayor Oh did not give a definite answer about whether he would seek a fifth term as Seoul Mayor. He said, "You can tell a politician's intentions by looking at their footsteps," and added, "I will decide my course of action at the appropriate time, but for now, there are many things I have started and many things I want to do. That's all I can say for now."
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