Cheong Wa Dae says Seoul Mayor Oh not free of blame for city's real estate woes

Cheong Wa Dae sharpened its tone against Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Wednesday, saying he bears responsibility for the capital's real estate problems as he continues to press the government to toughen its housing policies.

A Cheong Wa Dae official, speaking to reporters at the Chunchugwan on Wednesday afternoon, urged Oh to work more closely with the government. "We ask that Mayor Oh actively join us in putting our heads together to resolve the supply shortage and the jeonse and monthly rent crisis," the official said, adding that Oh is not without responsibility for Seoul's real estate situation.

Meanwhile, President Lee Jae Myung watched the fifth launch of South Korea's homegrown Nuri rocket with his presidential staff at Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday.

Presidential spokesperson Kim Sung-wan said in a briefing that Lee watched the launch live from his office alongside Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, Policy Director Ha Jun-kyung and AI Future Planning Senior Secretary Lee Hae-min.

Kim said Lee described the successful launch as a result of the government's active support for space launches, and called for accelerating the launch schedule to drive advances in satellite technology.

Kim said Lee peppered Lee Hae-min with detailed questions about launch preparations, progress and the types and functions of the satellites on board while waiting for liftoff. The senior secretary explained that the launch would lay the groundwork for the private sector to enter the commercial launch vehicle market through a major government technology transfer, and would serve as an opportunity to boost launch vehicle reliability through the country's first cluster satellite deployment, Kim said.

Kim also said that after liftoff, Lee watched in hushed anticipation until all satellites had been successfully ejected, then broke into applause and cheered along with researchers from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute as their celebrations appeared on screen following confirmation of a successful launch.

"The previous government conducted a total of two launches over 36 months. The Lee Jae Myung administration has achieved the same in just 17 months," Kim said, adding that the government plans to increase the number of launches going forward.