15 Seoul District Mayors Call for "Immediate Withdrawal of Land Transaction Permit Zones" Regarding the October 15th Measures

Joint Statement Released: "Undermines the Foundation of Local Autonomy and Infringes on Residents' Property Rights"

Urge Formation of Policy Consultation Body Comprising Government, Seoul City, and Autonomous Districts for Deregulation Measures

Land Transaction Permit Zone Implementation Begins Today (Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Jae-hee = A view of an apartment complex seen from Namsan, Seoul, on the 20th. According to the October 15th real estate measures announced by the government, the land transaction permit system will be implemented today in all areas of Seoul and 12 areas in Gyeonggi Province, including Gwacheon and Bundang. 2025.10.20 scape@yna.co.kr

The Seoul Metropolitan District Mayors' Council (Council Chairman Seo Kang-seok) and the mayors of 15 autonomous districts in Seoul announced on the 22nd that the government's October 15th real estate measures are "measures that undermine the foundation of local autonomy and infringe on residents' property rights," and urged their withdrawal.

They held a press conference at Seoul City Hall that afternoon and issued a statement to this effect.

The statement included the signatures of 15 district mayors from the People Power Party and independents (Yongsan), including Seo Kang-seok, mayor of Songpa District and chairman of the District Mayors' Council, as well as the mayors of Jongno, Jung, Yongsan, Gwangjin, Dongdaemun, Dobong, Seodaemun, Mapo, Yangcheon, Yeongdeungpo, Dongjak, Seocho, Gangnam, and Gangdong districts.

The remaining 10 district mayors, who belong to the Democratic Party of Korea, did not agree to the statement.

In the statement, they criticized, "As the land transaction permit system is the strongest regulation on private property, it should be applied in a highly targeted manner, limited to exceptionally necessary areas. This designation was unilaterally decided without consultation with Seoul City and the autonomous districts, disregarding the cooperative structure of local autonomy."

They also stated, "Seoul City and the autonomous districts are strengthening institutional support, such as the fast-track comprehensive planning for expanding housing supply through redevelopment and reconstruction. Real estate stability should be achieved not through strengthening regulations, but through expanding supply and administrative support."

The 15 district mayors urged the immediate withdrawal or minimization of the designation of land transaction permit zones, the formation of a three-party policy consultation body comprising the government, Seoul City, and autonomous districts, and the preparation of measures focused on deregulation, reflecting on-site voices.

Council Chairman Seo Kang-seok pointed out, "The designation of land transaction permit zones threatens the housing stability of ordinary citizens and hinders the vitality of the overall economy."

He added, "Regulation-centered real estate measures pursued without sufficient discussion with local governments must be comprehensively re-examined. Through this statement, we hope that the government, Seoul City, and autonomous districts will cooperate with one accord for the housing stability of residents and balanced regional development."

The October 15th measures primarily aim to significantly strengthen regulations by designating all of Seoul, as well as 12 areas in Gyeonggi Province including Gwacheon and Seongnam, as regulated areas, speculative overheating zones, and land transaction permit zones. Yonhap News