Democratic Party of Korea Seoul mayoral candidate Chong Won-o said that if his redevelopment and reconstruction pledges conflict with public interest, he would prioritize "business feasibility." He said he would streamline procedures through legal revisions to achieve this.
On the 14th at a forum hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Editors Association, the candidate said, "If the real estate market slumps, redevelopment and reconstruction projects shrink and supply also decreases," adding, "Now we need to focus all our capabilities on increasing supply."
The candidate said, "(Therefore) if public interest and business feasibility collide, it is time to prioritize business feasibility," adding, "I will revise the law to improve business feasibility."
As the background for revising the law, he proposed "raising the standard construction cost." The candidate explained, "Seoul Housing and Urban Development Corporation (SH) and Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH) purchase rental apartments with national or city funds, but because they buy based on the standard construction cost, there is talk in redevelopment associations that it is effectively a loss." He added, "Through legal revisions, I will change the system to pay up to 80% of the basic construction cost."
However, regarding concerns that public interest could be weakened during redevelopment and reconstruction, the candidate said, "We will expand through measures such as youth housing near transit hubs, purchased rentals, urban-style studio housing, and more dormitories near universities."
On previously expressing opposition to the special long-term holding deduction for dwellings, the candidate said, "If it is not for speculation, my view is that we should protect the current rights of one-household-one-home owners very broadly." He added, "If I become mayor, I will consult closely with the government."
◇ "Apologized over assault issue"
A question also came up about an assault conviction record from 31 years ago. The candidate said, "The claim by Rep. Kim Jae-seop is false and fabricated," adding, "Yesterday we filed a complaint for violating election law over false information, and the matter will be clearly revealed through the judgment of the law."
Regarding the victim's recorded call released by Rep. Joo Jin-woo, the candidate said, "I clearly apologized in the past, but since the person says there is no memory of it, I once again express my apologies and say I am sorry."
Immediately after the forum, the candidate's camp held a press conference and said, "Fact-checking must fundamentally accompany elections," adding, "We will never stand by and will respond firmly to the filthy negative campaigning that pollutes Seoul's future."