Seo Younggyo Announces Seoul Mayoral Bid, Pledges "300,000 Housing Units"

"I Will Usher in the Era of KOSPI 7000"

Seo Younggyo, a four-term lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, officially announced her candidacy for Seoul mayor on January 15.

Seo Younggyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference to announce her candidacy for Seoul mayor at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the morning of the same day, Assemblywoman Seo held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, stating, "With the same determination that stopped Yoon Suk-yeol, I will now change Oh Se-hoon's Seoul."

In her declaration of candidacy, Assemblywoman Seo criticized, "The Han River Bus, which consumed a massive budget, has failed to change citizens' daily transportation and has instead become yet another showpiece administrative project." She continued, "The 'Rapid Integrated Redevelopment' that Oh Se-hoon (the current Seoul mayor) promised has now become a 'slow and uncommunicative integration,' and the 'Safe Housing' for young people is turning into 'Worry Housing.' Now, Seoul must return to being a city where its citizens are the true owners."

As her campaign pledges, Assemblywoman Seo proposed: ▲ implementing a 'Fast-Track for Housing Supply'; ▲ introducing an 'Economic Fast-Track'; ▲ establishing a 'K-Culture Seoul Tourism Pass' and a 'Storytelling Tourism Belt'; ▲ expanding 'Integrated Care Spaces' and supporting a 'Youth Career Fast-Track'; and ▲ realizing the '10-Minute Subway Zone in Front of Every Home' initiative.

Specifically, she stated, "By mobilizing both the public and private sectors, I will achieve the supply of approximately 300,000 housing units and establish a 12-month permit system through the housing supply fast-track." She added, "I will elevate Seoul to a global economic capital competing with New York and London, and introduce a 'Seoul-Style Financial Doctor' system for small business owners and struggling citizens, taking responsibility for citizens' everyday financial needs."

Previously, on January 7, Assemblywoman Seo completed the submission of documents for the preliminary candidate qualification review for Seoul mayor and stated, "Seoul is not Oh Se-hoon's Seoul, but the Seoul of its citizens." She has consistently raised issues regarding Seoul's municipal administration, including suspicions of opinion poll payment on behalf of Myung Taegyun, the Han River Bus project, and alleged redevelopment favoritism in the Sewoon 4 District in front of Jongmyo. Assemblywoman Seo has served as the chair of the Seoul·Seoul·Seoul Special Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Party. Her major legislative achievements include passing livelihood bills such as the 'Goo Hara Act,' the 'Tae Wan Act,' the 'Advance Child Support Payment Act,' and the 'Depositor Protection Act.'

Meanwhile, ahead of the local elections, other Democratic Party lawmakers such as Park Honggeun, Park Joomin, and Kim Youngbae have also announced their candidacies for Seoul mayor. Jeon Hyunhee, former lawmakers Hong Ikpyo and Park Yongjin, and Jung Wonoh, mayor of Seongdong District, are also expected to run.