South Korea’s main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has selected incumbent Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon as its candidate for the upcoming mayoral race on June 3. Oh emerged victorious in a three-way primary, defeating PPP Rep. Park Soo-min and former PPP Rep. Yun Hee-suk, announced Rep. Park Duk-hyum, the party’s nomination committee chief. He will face candidate Chong Won-o of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) in the election.
Oh, aiming for his third consecutive and fifth non-consecutive term as Seoul’s mayor, emphasized the importance of the mayoralty as a crucial defense against what he termed the “recklessness” of the Lee Jae Myung administration. He described the upcoming local elections as a pivotal moment for restoring the rule of law and balanced democracy, highlighting the significance of citizen participation.
During a press conference following his nomination, Oh expressed his commitment to interpreting his potential reelection as a mandate from the citizens to reconstruct the opposition party. He criticized the ruling party’s real estate policies and outlined a comprehensive five-point vision for Seoul, focusing on themes of co-prosperity and accessible housing. Oh also commented on his DP rival, suggesting that Chong’s governing philosophy may not resonate with voters and urged citizens to make a discerning choice.
Chong, the DP candidate, extended congratulations to Oh via a Facebook post, emphasizing the importance of a fair and dignified electoral contest that reflects the citizens’ integrity. Born in 1961, Oh entered politics in 2000 by winning a parliamentary seat in Seoul’s Gangnam district. Despite a brief retirement in 2004, he reentered politics in 2006, becoming Seoul’s first mayor in their 40s. Oh’s political journey includes reelection, resignation over a referendum on free school meals in 2011, and subsequent returns to office in 2021 and 2022.
