The government and ruling party are drawing speculation that they are sidelining Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in their push to expand housing supply. Housing demand is most concentrated in the nation’s capital due to the heavy concentration of population, jobs and urban conveniences, making the Seoul mayor a key local government partner in the central government's bid to address housing supply. But Cheong Wa Dae, the Cabinet and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) appear to be finding ways to bypass Oh rather than consulting him on housing supply policies for Seoul. The speculation was reinforced when presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook and DPK Chairman Kim Min-seok agreed, Sunday, to push granting district chiefs authority over redevelopment and reconstruction projects involving 500 homes or fewer. Such authority is currently held by heads of metropolitan or provincial governments, including the Seoul mayor. Under the law on urban development, Seoul’s district chiefs can draw up redevelopment plans but must seek the mayor’s approval for the des