Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on the 30th welcomed Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok's stated willingness to cooperate on Seoul city affairs, calling it "quite a relief." He stressed that even as the ruling and opposition parties clash in national politics, cooperation on Seoul city affairs is needed to improve residents' quality of life.
Speaking at a breakfast policy consultation meeting with the People Power Party's Seoul chapter at Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Oh said, "Based on what has been publicly stated, Kim's remarks — that the goal is not to hold back Mayor Oh but to offer help, even if short of critical support — were included in the news, and I think that is quite a relief."
At a Democratic Party budget and policy consultation meeting for Seoul held at the National Assembly the previous day, Kim said, "The Democratic Party's stance is to take a mature position and a mature attitude — not to unconditionally oppose or obstruct Mayor Oh Se-hoon's administration, but to help where needed, from the standpoint of citizens."
Oh responded, "Our People Power Party also has many issues on which we will take opposing positions at the level of national politics, but at the city administration level, I hope cooperation can be achieved and serve as a foundation for improving the quality of life for Seoul residents." While noting that the Democratic Party won a majority of district mayor posts and Seoul Metropolitan Council seats in the June 3 local elections, he said, "The Democratic Party's response yesterday is truly a meaningful change for me."
He also gave a positive assessment of the Democratic Party's more flexible stance on major Seoul city issues. Regarding the "Garden of Gratitude," Oh said, "There were also remarks to the effect that the project would have to proceed as is, even if the mayor changes." On the issue of building youth rental housing inside Yongsan Park, he said, "Seeing the news that they visited Yongsan Park and shifted to a position of caution, I thought it was late but still a relief."
The meeting also discussed ways to strengthen communication between the Seoul city government and the People Power Party's Seoul chapter. The two sides agreed to share major issues such as real estate on an ongoing basis and to hold policy consultations on a regular basis.
Cho Eun-hee, chair of the People Power Party's Seoul chapter, said, "We are the opposition in national affairs, but we are the ruling party in Seoul," adding, "We will build a cooperative relationship between the Seoul city government and the Seoul chapter." After the meeting, she explained, "We agreed to hold policy consultations frequently and meet regularly before the year ends."
