Go Min-jung, the Democratic Party candidate (left), and Oh Se-hoon, the United Future Party (currently People Power Party) candidate running for the 21st National Assembly election in Gwangjin-eul, Seoul, are campaigning and appealing for support at the intersection near Konkuk University Station in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of April 14 last year, one day before the election. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] The People Power Party criticized Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Min-jung's condemnation of former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's candidacy in the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election as an "irrational attack," saying, "Lawmaker Ko should reflect on her own past."
On the previous day (22nd), Ko pointed out former Mayor Oh's so-called "conditional Seoul mayoral candidacy" claim in a post on her Facebook. Oh stated that the future Seoul mayor should not run for the presidential election as a duty to the people.
On the 23rd, Hong Jong-gi, deputy spokesperson of the People Power Party, said in a statement, "Before criticizing the opposition party's Seoul mayoral candidate by talking about 'conditional politics,' lawmaker Ko should look back on her own past."
Deputy Spokesperson Hong criticized, "In last year's general election, then Democratic Party floor leader Lee In-young promised, 'If candidate Ko Min-jung is elected, disaster relief funds will be given to all citizens,' which was practically close to vote-buying. It is regrettable to see lawmaker Ko, with such a past, criticize the opposition candidate for 'conditional politics,' which would make even a cow laugh."
He added, "It was only nine months ago that she misled the public with an 'election conditional' promise in her own election. Conversely, will the Democratic Party's mayoral candidates retire cleanly from politics if they lose the election? Will lawmaker Ko leave politics if she fails to win re-election? If she cannot answer directly, she should sincerely apologize for the irrational attacks on the opposition candidate."
On the 22nd, lawmaker Ko strongly criticized former Mayor Oh's so-called conditional Seoul mayoral candidacy. Earlier, on the 11th, Oh stated in a radio interview, "The Seoul mayor elected this time cannot and should not run for the presidential election. That is the duty."
In response, Ko wrote on her Facebook the same day, "He said that if he is elected Seoul mayor this time, he will give up the presidential election and set conditions again," criticizing him.
She continued, "Can't he just once state an unconditional position? Regarding the Seoul free school meal referendum, he set a 'conditional resignation from the Seoul mayor position.' Recently, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, threw a 'conditional candidacy' by saying he would run for Seoul mayor if he did not join the People Power Party," and pointed out, "'I will completely give up the presidential election. I will not run in any future elections. I will put everything on being Seoul mayor.' Can't he say this?"
She added, "It is regrettable and very regrettable to see him still doing conditional politics despite not being chosen by the people who wanted free school meals, the residents of Jongno District, and the residents of Gwangjin District." Former Mayor Oh lost the free school meal referendum he promoted in 2011, resigned from the mayoral office, and was defeated in the 2016 general election (Jongno) and the 2020 general election (Gwangjin District).
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