Oh Se-hoon: "Kwon Seong-dong's Resignation as Floor Leader Will Cause More Harm Than Good"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is speaking with reporters on the 2nd (local time) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (Photo by Seoul Joint Press Corps)

[Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) = Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon commented on the calls from some members of the People Power Party demanding the resignation of floor leader Kwon Seong-dong, saying, "The disadvantages outweigh the advantages."

Visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, as part of an ASEAN strategic city tour, Mayor Oh told reporters on the 2nd, "Although Floor Leader Kwon made some mistakes after starting his work and taking on the role of acting party leader, saying he should quit and elect a new one is excessive."

He emphasized, "Just as Representative Lee Jun-seok said that an early resignation would cause more harm than good, the same applies to Floor Leader Kwon stepping down; the disadvantages outweigh the advantages." This clearly drew a line regarding the demands from inside and outside the party for Kwon, who stepped down as acting party leader after the exposure of President Yoon Seok-yeol's 'internal criticism' text messages, to also resign from his floor leader position.

Mayor Oh said, "Since he has already stepped down from the acting party leader position, it can't be helped, but pushing him to quit as floor leader as well means not giving the floor leader, who has just started his work, even the minimum opportunity," adding, "We need to observe the current leadership a bit longer and support it."

He continued, "We should unite and help the new government settle quickly, but instead, showing signs of instability is regrettable," and added, "With the mindset of fully supporting the stable administration of the new government, everyone should exercise self-restraint and come together so that the party leadership can stabilize as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, regarding reports that People Power Party lawmaker Jo Su-jin requested Seoul City to purchase the former residence of former President Kim Dae-jung in Donggyo-dong, Mayor Oh said, "Lawmaker Jo arranged a meeting at Seoul City Hall where I met Kim Hong-eop, and the relevant department reviewed it, but the conclusion was that it is impossible under current law," explaining, "The house, inherited under the name of the third son Kim Hong-gul, has a very large mortgage set on it, and unless that is lifted, it cannot be sold or donated to Seoul City."

He further explained, "I told them that unless these obstacles are resolved, it is practically impossible for Seoul City to proceed with advanced discussions, and I understand that Kim Hong-eop fully understood and left."