Gominjeong "Oh Shinhwan Can't Abandon Offensive Politics" Oh Se-hoon 'Conditional Candidacy' Remarks Spark Fierce Ruling and Opposition Party Clash

Gominjung "Oh Se-hoon’s Conditional Politics Again"
O Shin-hwan "Where Did Rep. Go Learn This Kind of Politics?"
Jung Cheong-rae "Gominjung Spoke Up... Seoul Mayor Is Not a Clearance Sale"
Kim Geun-sik "Better Than the Ruling Party That Demands Nothing"

Go Min-jung, then candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, who ran for the 21st National Assembly election in Gwangjin-eul, Seoul (left), and Oh Se-hoon, candidate of the United Future Party (currently People Power Party), 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 Han Seung-gon] Former People Power Party lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan criticized Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Min-jung by saying, "There is no arrogance like this. A low-quality politician." In response, Ko fired back, saying, "He has not been able to abandon abusive politics."

Earlier, Ko criticized former Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who is running in the Seoul mayoral by-election, for saying, "If I win the Seoul mayoral by-election, I will give up the next presidential election," calling it so-called "conditional politics." In response, former lawmaker Oh criticized Ko, and Ko rebutted again, leading to a fierce exchange between the two lawmakers from the Democratic Party and the People Power Party.

Adding to this, fellow Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Chung-rae and Kim Geun-sik, professor at Gyeongnam National University and chairman of the People Power Party’s Songpa-byeong district in Seoul, joined in, continuing the political battle over former Mayor Oh’s conditional candidacy declaration.

On the 25th, Ko posted on her Facebook, saying, "Candidate Oh Shin-hwan, you still have not abandoned abusive politics," and criticized, "This kind of politics, contemptuous language, low-quality politician... I can only sigh." She continued, "Was it so unbearable to hear the request for Candidate Oh Se-hoon to clarify his unconditional stance? The judgment on abusive politics was already made in the last general election."

She added, "It is inappropriate for someone who claims to represent the citizens of Seoul to speak like that. Candidate Oh Shin-hwan, please also complete your race until the end."

Earlier, on the 23rd, Ko posted on Facebook criticizing former Mayor Oh’s statement that he would give up the next presidential election if elected Seoul mayor as "conditional politics," pointing out, "Regarding the Seoul free school meals referendum, he set a 'conditional resignation from the Seoul mayor position,' and recently, former leader Ahn Cheol-soo declared he would run for Seoul mayor if he did not join the People Power Party," calling it a "conditional candidacy." She added, "It is regrettable and even more regrettable to see him still practicing conditional politics despite not being chosen by the residents of Gwangjin-eul."

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

In response to Ko’s criticism of former Mayor Oh, former lawmaker Oh posted on his Facebook on the 24th, saying, "Although competition is inevitable during elections, once we return to daily life, we should cooperate as partners for local issues. It has been a virtue of our politics that when a competitor advances or takes on a new challenge, we offer congratulations and support with a joyful heart. Where on earth did lawmaker Ko learn this kind of politics?"

He continued, "Since democratization in 1987 until the 20th general election, the Democratic Party has won all eight elections in Gwangjin-eul. This means it was not because Ko was outstanding that she won. Her childish perception of the general election as a kind of preliminary for the presidential or Seoul mayoral election makes me doubt her qualifications as a politician."

Former lawmaker Oh added, "If you easily won a seat riding on a golden palanquin in the most favorable place, you should refrain from reckless behavior and focus on your legislative activities."

In response to former lawmaker Oh’s remarks, Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Chung-rae posted on his Facebook the same day, saying, "Lawmaker Ko Min-jung spoke her mind," and pointed out, "Both leading candidates from the People Power Party were judged and defeated in the general election. The Seoul mayoral position is not a 'clearance sale for general election losers.'"

Jung argued, "It is natural for a first-term lawmaker to feel unfamiliar and strange when people who lost the general election immediately run for Seoul mayor without reflection and self-restraint."

He added, "Gwangjin (eul) is not a one-time stopover station that caters to Oh Se-hoon’s ambitions," and criticized, "I was cut off in the 20th general election and took it as an opportunity to reflect and introspect. Abandoning your constituency like a used item and chasing bigger ambitions and positions just because you lost the general election is not a beautiful natural order." He further said, "Lawmaker Ko did not say anything untrue, and from her perspective, she spoke quite frankly. We must speak our minds."

Additionally, Kim Geun-sik, professor at Gyeongnam National University and a People Power Party preliminary candidate for Seoul mayor, who also declared his candidacy for the Seoul mayoral election, posted on his Facebook the same day, rebutting, "It was wrong for former Mayor Oh to resign from the Seoul mayor position over opposition to free school meals, but still, for a politician to set conditions and decide their own advancement or retreat is a bold and resolute last stand."

Former Mayor Oh held a referendum on free school meals in 2011, and when the turnout fell short, he resigned from the mayoral position.