The Opposition Begins Candidate Registration for By-Elections... The Contest Among Ahn, Na, and Oh Starts

Na Kyung-won Visits Urban Regeneration Site
Ahn Cheol-soo Attends Korean Medical Association Meeting
Oh Se-hoon: "Administrative Experience Is an Advantage"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The race for the opposition party's victory in the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections has officially begun. The People Power Party started candidate registration for the preliminary by-election primaries on the 18th, lasting four days. Following former Liberty Korea Party floor leader Na Kyung-won and People’s Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo, former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon officially declared his candidacy for Seoul mayor, intensifying the so-called ‘Big 3’ competition.

On the morning of the same day, former floor leader Na visited the party headquarters in Yeouido to register as a candidate for the Seoul mayoral by-election preliminary primary, then visited an urban regeneration project site in Seogye-dong, Yongsan-gu. This was a move to point out the problems of the urban regeneration project promoted by the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon. Earlier, as his first official schedule after his candidacy press conference, Na visited Nam Seoul Lucky Apartment in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, which is about to undergo a detailed safety inspection for reconstruction, pledging to revitalize real estate redevelopment and reconstruction.

In the afternoon, Ahn visited the Korean Medical Association for a meeting. Topics such as the current status of the COVID-19 resurgence and vaccine issues were expected to be discussed. On the 15th, Ahn volunteered medical services at a temporary screening center in Seoul Plaza. He said, "While the medical volunteer work is meaningful, I also intend to directly inspect the site to check for any improvements needed and use that to reorganize Seoul’s quarantine system." Ahn received praise for his medical volunteer work in Daegu just before last year’s general election. This time, ahead of the election, there is also an intention to highlight ‘Doctor Ahn Cheol-soo’ once again.

Former Mayor Oh declared his candidacy for Seoul mayor the day before. He apologized for his mid-term resignation from the Seoul mayor position linked to the free school meals referendum 10 years ago and emphasized his administrative experience as a strength. On KBS radio that day, Oh said, "At the time, I was sincerely trying to stop the populist frenzy, but I deeply regret it and blame myself greatly," adding, "This election requires starting work immediately the day after winning without a transition committee. In that respect, I have a relative advantage."