# Seoul housing supply vs tax and Yongsan Park dispute > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/seoul-housing-supply-vs-tax-debate > Updated: 2026-08-26T01:56:37.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 7. The dispute over housing supply and land use in Seoul has intensified, specifically regarding the utilization of Yongsan Park. While Mayor Oh Se-hoon has consistently argued that the park must remain a protected green axis connecting Namsan to the Han River, the central government has proposed using specific portions of the 910,000-pyeong site for public rental housing. Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yun-deok has suggested targeting areas with degraded green functions or soil contamination to provide homes for young people and newlyweds. Recent developments show growing public resistance, with a survey indicating 63.9% of Seoul residents oppose the development. Negotiations between the central government and the Seoul Metropolitan Government remain deadlocked. During recent meetings, the two parties revealed a significant divide: the Ministry maintains its stance on utilizing non-core areas of the park, while Mayor Oh strongly opposes any development to preserve historical and ecological value. As a formal alternative, Mayor Oh has proposed the redevelopment of the Tancheon Water Reclamation Center in Gangnam. This plan aims to create a ‘Southeast Youth Specialized Industrial Complex’ that integrates Physical AI R&D facilities with housing, potentially providing up to 13,000 units. The project could be funded by selling approximately 5.5 trillion won worth of Seoul-owned land. The Ministry has agreed to review this proposal. Additionally, both parties reached a broad consensus on improving redevelopment efficiency by potentially increasing legal floor area ratios by up to 1.2 times. The Ministry confirmed that Yongsan Park is not included in its planned 73,000-unit expansion, which is expected to focus on Gyeonggi Province. ## Claims - The government intends to use limited portions of Yongsan Park, such as former military housing, for public rental housing. (disputed by 2 sources) - The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is considering the entire Yongsan Park area for housing supply, not just the Children's Garden. (disputed) - The Seoul Metropolitan Government opposes using Yongsan Park for housing to prevent the destruction of urban green space. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The government is considering using portions of Yongsan Park to supply housing for young people. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The Tancheon Water Reclamation Center site could provide between 10,000 and 13,000 housing units. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Tancheon proposal includes a complex of youth housing and a Physical AI specialized industrial complex. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Ministry is positively reviewing the plan to increase redevelopment floor area ratios by up to 1.2 times. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Tancheon project could be funded by selling Seoul-owned sites worth approximately 5.5 trillion won. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The government intends to treat the land as a public asset rather than selling it to the private sector. (corroborated by 2 sources) - National Assembly member Ahn Cheol-soo criticized the plan, calling it an inappropriate use of a national park. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Yongsan Park is not included in the upcoming announcement of 73,000 new housing units. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Using contaminated sites for housing may be more cost-effective for soil remediation than converting them into parks. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-26: Seoul Metropolitan Council People Power Party criticizes government housing policy The People Power Party in the Seoul Metropolitan Council has demanded the withdrawal of housing supply plans in Yongsan Park and a review of government real estate measures to address rising living costs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/seoul-metropolitan-council-people-power-party-criticizes-government-housing-policy ### 2026-08-24: Seoul and South Korean government clash over Yongsan Park housing Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and the Ministry of Land met to discuss housing. While they disagreed on using Yongsan Park, they reached a consensus on reviewing the Tancheon Water Reclamation Center as a major housing 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/seoul-mayor-oh-se-hoon-proposes-tancheon-site-for-public-housing ### 2026-08-21: South Korean officials negotiate Seoul housing supply and Yongsan Park development South Korean officials and Seoul leaders are negotiating housing supply strategies, focusing on implementing rapid supply measures and resolving disputes over potential development in Yongsan Park. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-officials-negotiate-seoul-housing-supply-and-yongsan-park-development ### 2026-08-18: Yongsan Park housing dispute intensifies between Seoul and government The South Korean government and Seoul are clashing over plans to use parts of Yongsan Park for youth housing, balancing the need for urban green space against housing supply needs. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yongsan-park-housing-proposal-sparks-debate-in-seoul ### 2026-08-08: Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Rejects Yongsan Park Apartment Plan Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon denounced plans to build apartments in Yongsan Park, calling the idea a breach of principles set by former presidents Roh Moo‑hyun and Moon Jae‑in and stressing the need for green space. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/seoul-mayor-oh-se-hoon-rejects-yongsan-park-apartment-plan ### 2026-08-06: Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon urges housing supply, disputes opposition claims Mayor Oh Se-hoon says housing supply, not taxes, will fix Seoul’s shortage, citing a report linking past redevelopment cuts to a supply cliff; opposition blames the mayor, he blames the Democratic Party. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/seoul-mayor-oh-se-hoon-calls-for-housing-supply-over-tax-measures ### 2026-07-12: Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon warns real estate debate may become a tax‑burden showdown Seoul Mayor Oh Se‑hoon urged that the President‑led real‑estate debate focus on housing supply and rent stability, warning it could otherwise devolve into a debate over tax burdens. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/seoul-mayor-oh-se-hoon-warns-real-estate-debate-may-become-a-taxburden-showdown --- Cite as: Seoul housing supply vs tax and Yongsan Park dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/seoul-housing-supply-vs-tax-debate