Recently, in Songpa District of Seoul, there are statements that "the conflict between the People Power Party-affiliated member of the National Assembly and the district mayor from the same party has entered its second round." It is said that the district mayor influenced the process of taking down a banner that included the name of the member of the National Assembly in the Jamsil Jugong 5 Complex, where reconstruction is underway. The district mayor had clashed with the member of the National Assembly last year over a project to reduce lanes and expand sidewalks.
◇A banner congratulating the approval of reconstruction was put up and caused controversy
On the 6th, according to the Songpa District and the Jamsil 5 Complex reconstruction association, the Seoul City Council conditionally approved the integrated review of the Jamsil 5 Complex reconstruction project on June 19. The Jamsil 5 Complex, completed in 1978, will be rebuilt with a total of 6,387 households, comprising 4 underground floors and 65 above-ground floors.
The conflict between Songpa District Mayor Seo Gang-seok and the People Power Party's Bae Hyun-jin (Seoul Songpa Eul) became apparent after the review. According to the association, Mayor Seo summoned the chairman Jeong Bok-mun and instructed that a banner stating "Thank you, Mayor of Seoul and District Mayor" be put up.
However, the association also put up a banner expressing gratitude towards Representative Bae and the same party's city council member Lee Seong-bae (Samjeon-dong, Jamsilbon-dong, Jamsil 2, 3, and 7-dong). Jamsil 5 Complex falls under Jamsil 3-dong.
In response, Mayor Seo summoned Chairman Jeong again and angrily asked, "Why did you put up the banner for Representative Bae?" and instructed that all banners be removed except for the one thanking Mayor Oh Se-hoon. The related banners have now all been taken down.
◇Songpa District raises issues over the method of selecting the chairman… City council member "the banner issue is the reason"
The conflict almost affected the reconstruction project. On the 30th of last month, Chairman Jeong succeeded in being re-elected through a "yes or no vote" at the general meeting of members. However, one day before the meeting, Songpa District urged the direct election of the chairman, stating that if the chairman was re-elected without competition, it would lack democratic legitimacy, making it difficult to push for smooth reconstruction. It was mentioned that if the chairman is selected through a yes or no vote, they plan to reject it.
A Songpa District official stated, "There is no legal basis for this," and noted, "It was judged based on a comprehensive review of the association's articles of incorporation and election management regulations."
The association protested. In a text message sent to its members, they said, "Mayor Seo has issued an absurd press release that goes beyond law and procedure." The city council member remarked, "Songpa District has put the brakes on the maintenance project citing issues such as the Jamsil 5 Complex banner." They added, "If necessary, we will formally request an audit and summon related directors to hold them accountable."
◇The chairman apologized: "I installed the banner for 'thank you, Bae Hyun-jin' without informing the district mayor"
The conflict appeared to dissipate within four days. Chairman Jeong explained in a text message sent to members on the 2nd that there had been an error in the installation of the banners.
He explained, "The district mayor asked that only the mayor's banner be installed because it was a matter handled by the mayor," and added, "Without informing the district mayor, I made the personal decision to also install the banners for Representative Bae Hyun-jin and City Council Member Lee Seong-bae." He expressed his apology to Mayor Seo and stated, "I will actively cooperate with the district mayor in the future."
A Songpa District official stated, "There were misunderstandings regarding the chairman's election, but it will be resolved in a good direction." An official from Representative Bae Hyun-jin's office commented, "We hope that the district and the association will proceed with the project smoothly and swiftly."
As the district mayor holding the reconstruction permit and the local member of the National Assembly clashed, causing concerns to spill over to the association, members felt anxious. On the 3rd, a person surnamed Jeong (68) met in Jugoong 5 Complex and said, "I was angry after receiving the association's message," and added, "The district is threatening the survival of 4,000 households with the meaningless banner rivalry." Another person surnamed Park (73) remarked, "There are many older association members in this complex. The delay in the project is frightening."
◇Songpa District Mayor pushes to reduce Songpa-daero from 10 lanes to 8… Bae Hyun-jin opposes
The conflict between Mayor Seo and Representative Bae dates back to November last year. Mayor Seo is working to reduce the 10-lane road along Songpa-daero from Seokchon Lake to Garak Market to an 8-lane "walkable road" and promote the creation of a streetscape garden.
This led to opposing voices among local residents. This section is near Lotte World, Korea's tallest Lotte World Tower, Lotte Department Store Jamsil Branch, and Garak Market, making traffic congestion severe. There were concerns that reducing lanes would lead to further congestion.
At that time, Representative Bae put up a banner saying, "Don't worry. The lanes on Songpa-daero will not be reduced." At this year's New Year's meeting, she also stated, "If the residents of Songpa District do not want the project, we will not provide support such as budget assistance."
Members of the People Power Party at the Songpa District Council reportedly requested an investigation and disciplinary action from the ethics committee of the central party, citing that they proceeded with the project despite warnings from local National Assembly members. The ethics committee of the People Power Party confirmed a "three-month suspension of party membership" for Mayor Seo last July. However, Songpa District continues to push forward with this project.