"Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who said 'I can't eat Jongja seeds just because I'm hungry,' declares candidacy for Seoul mayor instead of presidential run"

Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon will announce his intention to run in the Seoul mayoral by-election on the 17th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon will officially announce his candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election on the 17th. Until November last year, Oh repeatedly hinted at his intention to run directly for the presidential election, saying, "If a farmer eats the seeds because he is a little hungry in winter, how can he farm for a year?" This change in his attitude has attracted public attention.

On the 16th, a representative from Oh’s side told Yonhap News Agency in a phone call, "Tomorrow (the 17th), we plan to hold a declaration ceremony outdoors in Seoul," adding, "The exact time and place are being finalized."

On the 7th, Oh expressed at a press conference that he would run conditionally if Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, did not join forces with the People Power Party by the 17th, the day before the People Power Party’s primary candidate registration. However, since Ahn did not respond to Oh’s proposal, it is reported that the merger and party entry fell through, leading Oh to decide to run.

In his declaration for the Seoul mayoral candidacy, Oh is expected to explain why he is challenging for Seoul mayor again and why he should be the mayor of Seoul.

In particular, he is also expected to reflect on his mid-term resignation from the mayoral office 10 years ago related to the free school meals referendum.

On the 7th, Oh also reiterated, "There is no political interest for me, Oh Se-hoon, in the proposal for party entry or merger with Ahn. The historic mission of the opposition is solely centered on 'opposition unification.'"

Oh, who is the head of the Gwangjin District Party Committee in Seoul, is known to be forming a "young camp" focused on the 30s and 40s generation that will concentrate on online communication without having a separate office besides the Gwangjin-gu office.

Meanwhile, besides Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party’s preliminary primary is expected to include former Future United Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker Na Kyung-won, former lawmakers Lee Hye-hoon, Lee Jong-gu, Kim Seon-dong, Oh Shin-hwan, and Seocho District Mayor Cho Eun-hee.