One Day Before Party Member Vote, Woo Sang-ho: "I Will Bet Everything on the April 7 By-Election"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Starting tomorrow (the 26th), the Democratic Party member voting to select the final Democratic Party candidate for the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election will begin. Woo Sang-ho, the Democratic Party preliminary candidate for Seoul mayor, stated, "Under no circumstances will I run in the next National Assembly election, and I will put everything into this election." The Democratic Party will select the final Democratic candidate for Seoul mayor on the 1st of next month after general member voting on the 26th and a general public opinion survey on the 28th. The candidate will be confirmed with 50% from member voting and 50% from the general public opinion survey.

On the morning of the 25th, Woo held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, saying, "Since joining the Democratic Party, I have shared the fate of the party," and declared, "Running for Seoul mayor is my last political challenge. I will not use this as a stepping stone for the next position." Woo said, "The criteria for this Seoul mayoral candidate are clear," adding, "You just need to choose who is the most Democratic Party-like candidate to protect the common people and the vulnerable, and who will support President Moon Jae-in until the end."

He urged party members, "Let's go as the Democratic Party. The most Democratic Party-like candidate will win. Woo Sang-ho will do what the Democratic Party must do and follow the path it should take," emphasizing, "Our paths in life are different. Desperation protects us. Woo Sang-ho will win."

Regarding his recent lag behind candidate Park Young-sun in various institutional opinion polls, Woo said, "My two main election message points are representing the desperation of the common people and inheriting and developing the spirit and values of the Democratic Party. I believe this message is changing the grassroots public sentiment," and asserted, "This election is not one decided by opinion poll results." Referring to the Democratic Party's primary system, which is 50% party members and 50% citizens, he said, "The characteristic of this election is that it is decided by two votes," adding, "Considering the turnout and expected number of votes, I see it as a 500-vote battle. The final fight has begun."

He also criticized candidate Park's pledges, evaluating them as "flashy and very abstract, lacking the desperate reality and sincerity of the common people," and pointed out, "I have continuously questioned whether Park's policies embody the Democratic Party's values and the urgency of the common people, but Park has not responded to this issue."

Regarding the unification of candidates within the broader progressive camp, including Kim Jin-ae of the Open Democratic Party and Cho Jung-hoon of the Transition Korea Party, he said, "There is a considerable consensus. However, when it comes to details, there may be differences of opinion," adding, "But ultimately, there will be no major obstacles to candidate unification. If I become the candidate, the unification process will proceed naturally like flowing water."