Seoul Mayor Oh shut out at Cabinet meeting: 'Submit it in writing'

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended his first Cabinet meeting since the launch of the ninth round of elected local governments but was not given the floor to speak.

There had been expectations that Oh would use the occasion to publicly air his differences with President Lee Jae Myung over Seoul's real estate policy, but the meeting ended without any notable remarks from him.

President Lee, who chaired Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, directed Oh to submit a written report. "If you could provide a report, please include a status update on how reconstruction and redevelopment in Seoul are currently progressing, and why supply is generally said to be so short," Lee said.

The exchange made clear that Oh had wanted to voice his views on real estate policy during the live-broadcast Cabinet meeting, but was instead directed to submit them in writing.

The situation unfolded after Im Gi-geun, director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, finished presenting a plan to gather public opinion on real estate policy during the ministry briefing segment.

Oh turned to Prime Minister Han Sung-sook, who was chairing the proceedings, and asked, "Prime Minister, may I say a few words as Seoul mayor?" Han cut him off, saying, "On this matter, there is a national public debate forum coming up — it would be better to pass it along there."

She then announced the schedule for a real estate forum set for Tuesday through Thursday and said, "We will accept submissions in writing."

Oh responded by saying, "Just moments ago, we delivered a report prepared by Seoul to the policy chief, the minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the deputy prime minister," adding, "Since it seems I will not be given the floor today, I will let the report speak for itself."

Earlier in the meeting, Prime Minister Han had appeared to set the ground rules with Oh in mind as she opened the proceedings.

Han began by noting, "There are also some new observers joining us today," in what appeared to be a reference to Oh. She then added, "Cabinet members are free to speak, but as this is a Cabinet meeting, those who are not Cabinet members are asked to obtain permission from the chair or the prime minister before speaking."

She went on to say, "Anyone else who has opinions related to the Cabinet meeting is welcome to submit them in writing, and they will be taken into consideration."

Last month, Oh requested a meeting with President Lee on real estate issues. Oh said, "The central government holds nearly 100 percent of the discretion over tax policy," and added that he had submitted the meeting request given that there was still time before any tax reform proposal could take effect.