On the 30th, Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, appealed for support during a focused campaign rally at Siheung Intersection in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, clarified that his previous statement about positively considering the relocation of Gimpo Airport during a Seoul City Council inquiry last year was a "diplomatic remark."
On the afternoon of the 31st, during a campaign rally at Wolgok Station in Seongbuk-gu, Oh said, "When a city council member says, 'There is such an opinion, please consider it,' does the mayor respond by saying 'It is not worth considering'?" He explained, "It was a diplomatic remark, saying it seemed like a good idea, so I would consider it."
According to the Seoul City Council video minutes, during a city administration inquiry on July 1 last year, Oh responded to the Democratic Party city council member Choi Seon’s proposal to relocate Gimpo Airport by saying, "It is a proposal worth listening to carefully and considering," but added, "It is a situation where Seoul City cannot unilaterally proceed."
On November 18 of the same year, during the plenary session, Oh referred to the remarks of Democratic Party city council member Woo Hyung-chan, who mentioned the necessity of relocating Gimpo Airport, as "a discussion worth developing," adding, "It is still a matter that requires more mature public opinion and social consensus before reaching a conclusion."
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate for Incheon Gyeyang-eul, criticized Oh’s remarks on his Facebook that day, calling it a "malicious fraud that deceives and agitates the public despite knowing the facts."
In response, Oh retorted at a campaign rally at Myeonmok Station, "Seeing them twist things again, they must be desperate," adding, "This is the current misconduct of someone who once said they would be the president of the country." He raised his voice, saying, "The Democratic Party, which is stirring up the whole country just to save this one person, needs to come to their senses through this opportunity."
On the last day of the election campaign, Oh toured the Gangbuk area, appealing for overwhelming support for the People Power Party.
On this day, Oh, visiting 11 districts, planned to hold a "final rally" at Cheonggye Square in Jung-gu at 8 p.m., and then visit Changsin Market in Jongno-gu to greet citizens and conclude his campaign.
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