Chong Won-o, a candidate in the Democratic Party of Korea primary for Seoul mayor, and lawmaker Park Ju-min faced off over the topic of "Seongdong District home prices." Park said "the candidate touted the rise in Seongdong District home prices as an achievement," while Chong countered that he was "saying Seongdong District has become a good place to live."

Chong Won-o, a Democratic Party of Korea Seoul mayoral hopeful, delivers remarks at the National Assembly Press Day hosted by the parliamentary press corps at the National Assembly's Communication Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 11th. /Courtesy of News1

Chong held a press conference at the National Assembly communication center on the afternoon of the 11th and said, "In a lecture about administrative performance, I think (home price increases) were one item in the context of saying that if highly effective administration is carried out, a place becomes good to live in, and Park probably pointed to that part."

Earlier, on the previous day, Park posted on Facebook an article titled, "Candidate Chong, are you still proud of the surge in Seongdong District home prices?"

In the post, Park said, "Not long ago, in a contest, (Chong) cited the rise in apartment prices in Seongdong District as a case of 'development not seen in Seoul' and said to the effect that 'if local residents want it, home prices should be raised,'" adding, "Using residents' demands as a pretext to spur price increases and claiming that as an achievement is shirking the role of a mayor."

Meeting with reporters that day, when asked, "What do you make of Park's criticism of Seongdong District home prices?" Chong said, "(In the lecture) I said Seongdong District has been ranking at the very top in happiness surveys related to the living environment and that administration should be highly effective," adding, "It was expressed that, as a result, there was an overall rise in home prices."

Park's side has continued to keep Chong, seen as a leading contender, in check. Choi Hye-young, the communications director for Park Ju-min's campaign, said in a commentary that day, "Treating rising home prices as a direct yardstick of local development is not desirable," adding, "In line with the government's stance, showing a shift toward putting more weight on housing stability would be a more responsible posture for a public official."

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