Seoul city government says land supply talks with ministry stalled despite meeting requests

The Seoul Metropolitan Government pushed back Monday against remarks by Land Minister Hong Ji-sun, saying it was inaccurate to suggest that delays in announcing new residential land supply in Seoul stemmed from the city's lack of cooperation.

Seoul city spokesperson Ho Jun-seok, responding at a regular briefing to a question about whether Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Minister Hong had scheduled a meeting, said the city had been waiting far too long. "If we want to announce Seoul land supply plans within the year, shouldn't the mayor and the minister meet as soon as possible?" Ho said.

Ho said Oh had proposed a meeting with the land minister a considerable time ago, but no concrete progress had been made. "It is regrettable that despite the proposal having been made so long ago, there has been no specific progress," Ho said, adding that Oh's repeated request was to "meet as soon as possible — even one day sooner — and discuss this issue directly." Ho also said working-level consultations between the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport were not advancing quickly either.

Earlier, Land Minister Hong told reporters Friday at a redevelopment project site in Nowon-gu, Seoul, that a meeting with Oh would take place "once things are coordinated at the working level." On the question of announcing new residential land sites in Seoul within the year, Hong said, "I think it will be possible if the Seoul Metropolitan Government actively cooperates with our requirements."