Politics · South Korea · 3 hrs ago
Seoul council Democrats to scrutinize mayor’s 55.7 trillion won budget
Seoul council Democrats plan a close review of Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s agenda as the council’s regular session begins on November 2.
The council has 118 seats, and the Democratic Party holds 80, giving it a majority.
Its review will include Seoul’s proposed 55.7 trillion won 2027 budget and an audit of the city administration.
Democratic leader Lee Sang-hoon says the council will judge proposals on their merits, not simply oppose them because Oh belongs to another party.
He said a youth AI access program could win approval if the city addresses gaps in its design, including data protection and oversight.
The council also plans to examine the Han River Bus, nighttime economy projects, public care and safety spending.
The audit and budget review are due to take place during the session, but the article gives no final decisions or timetable for individual projects.
Seoul City Council’s Democratic Party leader Lee Sang-hoon said the party would scrutinize Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s proposed 55.7 trillion won budget for 2027.
The Democrats hold 80 of the council’s 118 seats and plan to review the mayor’s key projects during an audit and budget deliberations.
Lee said the party would support projects that benefit residents but cut funding for proposals that are inadequately prepared, regardless of which party proposed them.
The review is expected to cover a youth artificial intelligence programme, the Han River bus, the night-time economy, public care and safety investment.
- Who
- Seoul City Council’s Democratic Party, led by Lee Sang-hoon, will scrutinize the budget and the mayor’s projects.
- What
- The council will review Seoul’s proposed 2027 budget of 55.7 trillion won and examine the mayor’s policies.
- When
- The council’s regular session is scheduled to begin on November 2. Budget review and an administrative audit are planned.
- Where
- Seoul, South Korea.
- Why
- Lee said the council should assess whether projects are justified and adequately prepared, and ensure public money is properly used.
Seoul City Council Democrats
Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s administration
Project preparation
Seoul City Council Democrats
Lee said some proposals lacked detailed planning and should be cut or revised.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s administration
The administration proposed the projects and budget; its specific response to Lee’s criticisms is not stated.
Youth AI programme
Seoul City Council Democrats
Lee said the goal was worthwhile but the proposal needed stronger plans for eligibility, services, follow-up and data management.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s administration
The administration included funding to support young people’s use of generative AI; its response to the council’s concerns is not stated.
Lee Sang-hoon gave an interview to Yonhap at Seoul City Council.
Yonhap published Lee’s comments on the upcoming audit and 2027 budget review.
The council’s 340th regular session is scheduled to open.
- Proposed 2027 Seoul budget
- 55.7 trillion won
- Democratic Party seats
- 80 of 118
- Regular session
- 340th session, scheduled to begin November 2
- Youth AI programme
- Supports young people’s use of generative AI
- Mayor
- Oh Se-hoon, of the People Power Party
- Mayor’s Han River project
- Han River bus
What people are saying
If a project helps citizens, we should actively agree and provide more funding if the budget is insufficient. Conversely, if a project is not properly prepared, it is the council’s role to cut it, whoever proposed it.
Why would we oppose improving young people’s access to digital technology and AI?
This is not simply a project to hand out usage passes. Since it concerns digital citizenship and universal access to AI, the public sector’s responsibilities must also be designed.
We need to coldly examine whether the project’s purpose matches its actual operation.