[Comprehensive] Oh Shin-hwan Severely Criticizes Go Min-jung, Who Criticized Oh Se-hoon, Saying "This Is the First Time I've Seen Such a Low-Quality Politician"

Former People Power Party lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan, who is running in the Seoul mayoral by-election, expressed his views on the government's business regulation measures for small business owners due to the novel coronavirus infection at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Former People Power Party lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan harshly criticized Democratic Party lawmaker Go Min-jung on the 24th, calling her a "low-quality politician." This came as a counterattack after Go jeered at former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who declared his candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election.

On the same day, Oh posted on his blog, "Go's jeering at former Mayor Oh is habitual," and criticized, "I am now overwhelmed trying to count how many times this reckless behavior has occurred."

He continued, "In my 15 years in politics, I have never seen a low-quality politician who repeatedly utters such contemptuous remarks toward a rival candidate in a general election," and questioned, "Where on earth did Go learn such politics? Did President Moon Jae-in teach her that?"

He added, "Gwangjin-eul has been a constituency that the Democratic Party has won in all eight elections from the democratization in 1987 up to the 20th general election. This means Go did not win because she was particularly outstanding," and pointed out, "Her childish perception of treating general elections as if they were just regional preliminaries for presidential or Seoul mayoral elections makes one doubt her qualifications as a politician."

Oh emphasized, "Meeting as competitors in politics is also a form of connection. Although competition is inevitable during elections, once back to daily life, we should cooperate as partners for local issues," and added, "It has been a virtue of our politics to offer congratulations and support with a joyful heart when a competitor advances or takes on a new challenge."

Finally, he delivered a sharp remark, saying, "She keeps saying things like 'she did not even receive the choice of Gwangjin-eul voters,' but there is no arrogance like this arrogance," and "If she easily won a gold badge riding in a flower palanquin in the most prominent place, she should stop reckless behavior and focus on her legislative activities."

In last year's 21st general election, then candidate Go Min-jung of the Democratic Party of Korea (left) and Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party (right) appealed for support at the intersection near Konkuk University Station in Gwangjin-gu in April last year. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 23rd, Go criticized former Mayor Oh on her Facebook post, calling him a "conditional candidate" targeting his statement that he would give up the next presidential election if elected Seoul mayor.

Go continued, "Regarding the Seoul City free meal referendum, he proposed a 'conditional resignation from the Seoul mayor position.' Recently, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, said he would run for Seoul mayor if he did not join the People Power Party, throwing a 'conditional candidacy,'" and questioned, "Can you not express an unconditional position even once?"

She added sarcastically, "It is regrettable and even more regrettable to see you still practicing conditional politics despite not being chosen by the people who wanted free meals, the residents of Jongno-gu, and the residents of Gwangjin-eul," and asked, "After many years and hardships, can you not show dignity and pride as a politician?"

Previously, Go and former Mayor Oh faced off in the 21st general election in Seoul’s Gwangjin-eul district. At that time, Go won with 50.4% of the vote, defeating Oh, who received 47.8%.