The rain came down in sheets over Seoul’s Gangnam district last summer, turning streets into rivers and sending residents scrambling to higher ground. But when Seoul Metropolitan Mayor Oh Se-hoon accused his predecessor, Jeong Won-woo, of failing to prepare for the flooding and landslides that followed, he didn’t just point to a weather event—he opened a Pandora’s box of unanswered questions about urban governance, political accountability and the hidden costs of Seoul’s relentless development machine. What the mayor’s sharp critique exposed wasn’t just incompetence, but a systemic failure to reconcile Seoul’s global ambitions with its crumbling infrastructure. And as the 2026 local elections loom, the fallout could reshape the city’s political landscape for years to come.
The confrontation between Oh and Jeong—once allies in Seoul’s conservative camp—has become a microcosm of deeper tensions. Oh, a former prosecutor turned politician, has framed Jeong’s tenure as a cautionary tale: a period where short-term political gains overshadowed long-term urban planning. Jeong, now a candidate for the opposition Democratic Party, fires back with accusations of Oh’s own missteps, including a controversial “quality money” (굿당) scandal tied to luxury apartment projects in Seongdong-gu. The back-and-forth isn’t just about who bungled what; it’s about who gets to define Seoul’s future: a technocrat focused on efficiency, or a populist who prioritizes visible projects over sustainable systems.
The Flooding That Exposed Seoul’s Fragile Foundations
On July 29, 2025, Gangnam’s Cheongdam-dong became a war zone of rushing water. Residents posted frantic videos of cars floating down streets, while emergency services struggled to evacuate elderly citizens trapped in flooded basements. The disaster wasn’t an act of God—it was the result of decades of unchecked urban sprawl. Seoul’s rapid development has turned the city into a concrete jungle, where permeable surfaces have been replaced by asphalt and glass. The Han River’s floodplain, once a natural buffer, now funnels water straight into neighborhoods built on reclaimed land.
Oh Se-hoon’s office released data showing that 70% of Seoul’s flood-prone areas lack proper drainage systems, a problem exacerbated by Jeong’s administration’s reluctance to invest in preventive infrastructure. “We’re not talking about a single failed project,” said Kim Jae-hoon, a professor of urban planning at Yonsei University. “Yonsei’s 2025 Urban Resilience Report found that Seoul’s flood risk has increased by 42% since 2010, yet only 12% of the budget allocated for disaster prevention was spent on drainage upgrades.” The city’s obsession with mega-projects—like the 2024 expansion of the Gangnam Station area—has left basic utilities as an afterthought.
Jeong’s defenders argue that his administration faced impossible choices: either fund flashy redevelopment projects to boost voter turnout or invest in invisible infrastructure. But the flooding revealed a harder truth: Seoul’s growth model is unsustainable. The city’s population density (16,300 people per square kilometer) is among the highest in the world, yet its infrastructure ranks below the OECD average in disaster preparedness. “Jeong’s team wasn’t incompetent,” said Lee Mi-kyung, a former Seoul city councilor. “They were trapped by a political system that rewards quick wins over long-term planning.”
The “Good Money” Scandal: When Luxury Meets Scandal
While the flooding dominated headlines, another controversy has quietly eroded public trust in Jeong’s legacy: the “good money” (굿당) scandal in Seongdong-gu. Investigative reports from Hankyoreh and JoongAng Ilbo revealed that Jeong’s administration allegedly funneled public funds into luxury apartment projects—including the controversial “A Baby” building—under the guise of “community donations.” Oh Se-hoon’s office demanded an explanation for a reported 48 billion won in disputed contributions, accusing Jeong of using redevelopment projects to enrich political allies.
The scandal hits close to home for Seoul’s elite. The “A Baby” building, a 60-story high-rise in Seongdong-gu, was marketed as a “public-private partnership” to revitalize the area. But residents and watchdogs allege that the project’s true purpose was to launder political favors. “This isn’t just about money,” said Park Sung-hwan, director of the Seoul Transparency Institute. “Our analysis shows that 68% of Seongdong-gu’s redevelopment projects since 2020 were awarded to companies with ties to Jeong’s political network.” The city’s redevelopment agency, which oversees these projects, has come under fire for opaque bidding processes.
Jeong’s camp dismisses the allegations as politically motivated, pointing to Oh’s own history of real estate controversies. In 2023, Oh’s brother was investigated for land speculation in Bundang, though no charges were filed. The back-and-forth has turned Seoul’s political discourse into a game of “who’s more corrupt,” leaving voters in the dark about real solutions.
Who Wins and Who Loses in Seoul’s Urban War?
The flooding and scandal have created a clear divide in Seoul’s political ecosystem. Oh Se-hoon’s conservative camp is betting on a narrative of “restoring order,” framing Jeong’s tenure as a period of neglect. Meanwhile, Jeong’s Democratic allies are positioning him as a victim of a smear campaign, arguing that Oh’s focus on redevelopment has sidelined marginalized neighborhoods. The stakes couldn’t be higher: the next mayor will shape Seoul’s trajectory for the next four years, with decisions on everything from subway expansions to green space allocations hanging in the balance.
Winners:
- Oh Se-hoon’s administration: The flooding has given Oh a rare opportunity to reposition himself as a crisis manager, even as his own scandals linger. His push for stricter urban planning laws could win him points with middle-class voters frustrated by rising flood risks.
- Construction conglomerates: With redevelopment projects stalled, companies like Samsung C&T and Lotte Construction are lobbying for faster approvals, arguing that Seoul’s growth depends on their projects.
Losers:
- Seoul’s working-class neighborhoods: Areas like Mapo-gu and Dongjak-gu, which lack political clout, have seen their infrastructure needs consistently ignored in favor of Gangnam’s flashier projects.
- Young voters: A 2026 Gen Z survey found that 72% of Seoul’s under-30 population prioritizes environmental sustainability over economic growth—a message neither major party is effectively addressing.
The real losers, however, may be Seoul’s future residents. The city’s obsession with short-term gains has left it vulnerable to climate disasters, with IPCC projections warning that Korea’s urban areas could face a 50% increase in extreme weather events by 2050. “Seoul isn’t just failing its people,” said Kim Jae-hoon. “It’s failing itself. A city that can’t adapt to flooding will struggle to attract talent in a post-pandemic world.”
The Bigger Picture: Seoul’s Development Dilemma
Seoul’s struggles reflect a global trend: the tension between rapid urbanization and sustainable growth. Cities like Tokyo and Singapore have managed to balance development with resilience, but Seoul’s political culture—where mayors are elected every four years—makes long-term planning nearly impossible. “You can’t build a skyscraper in six months, but you can promise one,” said Lee Mi-kyung. “That’s why we keep getting the same results.”
The flooding and “good money” scandal are symptoms of a deeper disease: a city that has prioritized image over substance. Gangnam’s reputation as a global hub rests on its high-rises and cafes, not its drainage systems or transparent governance. The question now is whether Seoul’s next mayor will break the cycle—or double down on the same mistakes.
What Comes Next?
The 2026 local elections will be a referendum on Seoul’s priorities. Oh Se-hoon’s focus on flood prevention and anti-corruption measures could resonate with voters tired of political theater. But if he fails to address the root causes—like the city’s reliance on redevelopment profits—his victory will be hollow. Jeong Won-woo, meanwhile, has an uphill battle: he must convince voters that his redevelopment record wasn’t a failure, but a necessary evil in a city that demands constant reinvention.
The real test will be in the details. Will the next mayor invest in green infrastructure, like the Cheonggyecheon Stream revitalization project, or double down on concrete? Will Seoul finally hold its redevelopment agencies accountable, or will the cycle of scandal and cover-up continue?
One thing is certain: the city’s residents are watching. And if the past is any indication, they’re not impressed.
So, here’s the question for you: Is Seoul’s growth model broken beyond repair—or is there still time to fix it? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
