Latest news with #OhSe-hoon
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
As Asia modernises, squat toilets are being dethroned
Across many parts of Asia , squat toilets are being phased out, particularly in urban areas and public facilities, as comfort and convenience increasingly emerge as overriding considerations. But even so, many places in the region still stick to the traditional squat toilets, preferring them over the modern equivalents, resisting what some describe as globalisation and modernity. On Wednesday, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon pledged to replace some 1,200 squat toilets inside the subway station restrooms of South Korea 's capital with Western-style sitting toilets by 2028. The announcement was made during Oh's visit to the men's public restroom inside Jamsil Station in Songpa district, southern Seoul, in response to frequent public complaints. Noting that of the six stalls, two had squat toilets, he said, as quoted by the Korea JoongAng Daily: 'People no longer prefer to use squat toilets. The younger generation have especially been saying that they're uncomfortable to use. We'll make sure to get rid of every one of them in Seoul.' According to Seoul Metropolitan Government data, squat toilets currently make up about 33 per cent of the total 3,647 toilets in subway station restrooms.
Korea Herald
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Seoul mayor signals intent to seek 5th term
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon indicated he is willing to seek a third consecutive term in next year's local elections, saying he will 'work even harder' during his remaining time and 'wait for the public's judgment.' Speaking at a press briefing marking the completion of the third year of his current term, Oh stated that his desire to continue serving as the mayor of Seoul has 'grown stronger' as he has gained more insight and experience in office. 'The more I work, the more I see in what needs to be done — things that weren't noticeable before are coming into view, and I find myself growing more eager to take on new challenges,' said Oh. 'In that sense, I plan to do my best for the remainder of my term and await the people's evaluation.' Oh was elected as the mayor of Seoul in a special election in 2021 and reelected in 2022. This is his fourth term as mayor of Seoul, after previous election wins in 2006 and 2010. The next local elections, which are held every four years for governors, metropolitan and municipal mayors and provincial and municipal legislatures, are slated for June 3, 2026. When asked how he thinks the public would assess his leadership, Oh emphasized the city's housing and transportation policies. 'In terms of housing, I have great confidence that we've made meaningful changes and stayed diligent in preparing for the city's future,' Oh said. Recalling the past decade, Oh described it as a 'dark age' for new housing development, citing stalled redevelopment and limited supply. Referring to new urban planning projects being undertaken by the city government, Oh said that the city was able to secure a 'number of houses' for those seeking to settle down. 'Now it's time to ramp up the pace,' Oh added. On transportation, Oh highlighted the success of the city's Climate Card initiative, a monthly transit pass offering unlimited travel on all public transportation within the capital city. 'With the Climate Card becoming very popular among those in Seoul, we heard that many people believe their lives have greatly improved thanks to this policy and we've received much positive feedback,' Oh said. 'Based on these kinds of evaluations, we'll watch to see what kind of feedback the people will provide.' While Oh stopped short of confirming his candidacy, he hinted at firm intentions to run for a third term. 'With one year left in my term, the phrase 'wrap it up' is what I fear most,' added the Seoul mayor. 'From now on, it will be a time for a more intense execution of policies and taking on greater challenges. I will work to continue to bring the changes I started with the people of Seoul to bring greater and concrete results.' Oh also touched on his decision not to run in last month's presidential election necessitated by the impeachment and removal of Yoon Suk Yeol, calling it a 'difficult but necessary choice.' 'It would be a lie to say I had no regrets,' he said. 'But I had deep doubts about whether my candidacy at the time would help the ruling party (at the time) truly reflect on its mistakes.' Commenting on internal strife within the People Power Party, Oh pointed to declining approval ratings and criticized the party's inability to act on widely recognized issues. 'Everyone knows how the party must change, but no one seems to have the power to make it happen,' he said. 'Looking at the mainstream behavior within the party is deeply disappointing.'
Korea Herald
07-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul mayor backs K-beauty, fashion push into Europe
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon recently proposed a range of strategies for the global expansion of Korean beauty and fashion brands during a visit to Milan's representative fashion association. Although South Korea's beauty and fashion industries have steadily grown to a global scale -- becoming the world's third-largest cosmetics exporter by surpassing the $10 billion mark for the first time in 2024 -- Europe has remained outside its top 10 export destinations. Oh highlighted the potential for growth in Europe and suggested a multipronged approach to help Korean beauty and fashion enter overseas markets during his visit to Milan on July 4. In early July, after attending the World Cities Summit's Mayor Forum 2025 in Vienna, Oh arrived at the headquarters of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana -- a non-profit association for the development of Italian fashion and the organizer of Milan Fashion Week -- to strengthen the global partnership between the two cities through fashion. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Oh reaffirmed a continuous commitment to mutual exchanges and collaboration between Seoul and CNMI, which signed a memorandum of understanding in February 2024. One of the key agreements was to enhance cooperation between Seoul Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week to create a system for promoting Korean brands through Milan's iconic fashion platform. The city government explained that Oh proposed inviting Milan Fashion Week brands to participate in Seoul Fashion Week to promote it as a key event in the global fashion calendar. The mayor also visited Milan's iconic stationery shop, 10 Corso Como, where a pop-up exhibition titled 'K-Vibe from Seoul' was held, showcasing Seoul's beauty, fashion and K-pop culture. There, Oh discussed global market strategies with 14 Korean beauty and fashion brands. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has engaged in several initiatives to elevate the Korean beauty and fashion industries, providing support for their entry into overseas markets, global marketing, talent development and participation in international fashion weeks. In addition to the annual Seoul Beauty Week -- a global business platform aimed at making the city a leading hub for the beauty industry -- the city government opened a service platform, Seoul Beauty Hub, in June to assist a total of 100 companies in design, distribution, export, and online and offline marketing. Overseas expansions of competitive Korean fashion brands are also expected to accelerate, with the city government deciding to continue holding trade shows during the annual Seoul Fashion Week to connect promising local brands with key buyers and to offer consulting services. Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the major venue of Seoul Fashion Week, located in Jung-gu, central Seoul, is set to be transformed into a multipurpose cultural and commercial space where both locals and overseas visitors can enjoy beauty, fashion and cultural content, according to a city official.
Korea Herald
04-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul mayor promotes public housing scheme to global counterparts
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Thursday promoted the South Korean capital's flagship long-term rental and public housing schemes focused on catering to newlyweds, to more than 60 city leaders at the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Friday. Oh argued that innovative public housing can temper runaway housing costs and help sustain a rebound in the country's declining birth rate, at the biennial forum, hosted by Singapore's urban redevelopment authority, held at Vienna City Hall from July 2-4. Vienna earned hosting rights as the 2020 Lee Kuan Yew World Cities Prize laureate. Opening the session on housing supply, Oh spotlighted 'SHIFT,' Seoul's long-term public lease system that lets residents lease apartments for up to 20 years at roughly 80 percent of market rates. The model, which won a UN-Habitat Special Scroll of Honor in 2010, has 'resulted in more children per household than conventional public rentals,' the mayor told delegates. He then shed light on 'Mirinae Home,' an upgraded scheme for newlyweds that links lease terms and purchase discounts directly to family size. Couples who have one child can maintain lease contract for two decades, while those with two children may buy the unit at a 10 percent discount and families with three children at 20 percent below market value. Seoul plans to boost Mirinae supply to at least 4,000 units a year beginning in 2026. "High-density Seoul with small land cannot meet demand by simply building new stock,' Oh said at the forum. "The city also acquires aging private homes for remodeling and leases private units on bulk contracts." Roughly 70 percent of its 433,000 public rentals have been secured through these channels, Oh said, pushing Seoul's public-rental share from 5.3 percent in 2010 to 11.2 percent last year.
Korea Herald
24-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul to set up global architecture award, expand support
The Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled a comprehensive plan to bolster South Korea's competitiveness in architecture on Tuesday by fostering emerging architects and helping to promote their work on the global stage. During a press briefing, the city government announced that it will pursue four key initiatives by 2030, aimed at creating growth opportunities for architects through major projects while offering financial and institutional support. 'The overarching goal behind this initiative is to enhance Seoul's urban competitiveness while improving its quality of life through innovative design,' said Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon during Tuesday's briefing. At the heart of the city's initiative is the launch of the Seoul International Urban Space Design Award, a biennial prize recognizing innovative architecture, urban spaces and landscape projects that contribute to environmental sustainability, public value and urban culture. The first award ceremony is set for 2027, with entries accepted for architectural spaces located both in Korea and abroad. The city government added that it will also establish a foundation dedicated to managing this award, ensuring its sustainability and overseeing other related global engagement efforts. 'Seoul has attracted global attention with bold urban transformations,' said Oh on Tuesday. 'We aim to share this vision and experience internationally while ensuring that innovative architects receive the recognition they deserve.' Under the existing Seoul Architecture Award, the city government will also introduce an award category for emerging architects to support young talent and give them access to public project bids. Award-winning architects will also have the opportunity to take part annually in one or two city-run architectural projects for public spaces. Oh added that Seoul plans to expand opportunities for domestic architects to participate in international design projects hosted by the city government. This move comes in response to growing concerns from within the industry that Korean architects are being edged out of major domestic projects by foreign architects. To address this, the city government will increase design competition honorariums from the current 100 million won ($73,200) to 300 million won and provide additional support to selected architects, including global exhibition opportunities, promotional campaigns and public project collaborations. 'The city of Seoul will also take a more active role in promoting the capabilities and potential of Korean architects on the global stage by establishing pavilions at major international architecture events such as the Venice Biennale and the World Congress of Architects,' Oh added. In addition, the city will partner with leading architectural and cultural institutions in key cities abroad to showcase the work of Korean architects, while expanding intercity cultural exchanges. 'Through this initiative, the city government hopes to become a stepping stone for architects to thrive domestically and ultimately showcase the potential of Korean architecture to the world,' said Oh. 'Seoul will act as a test bed and platform where emerging architects can unlock their creativity and prove their value.'
