Dobong-gu, long considered a Democratic Party stronghold, has seen a series of conservative upsets with People Power Party's Oh Eun-seok elected as district mayor in the last local election and Kim Jae-seop winning Dobong-gap in the recent general election... Some attention on the nickname "Nodogang" for the three districts of Nowon, Gangbuk-gu, and Dobong-gu, dubbed the "Gangnam of Gangbuk."
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon (left) is explaining the status of the altitude district around Bukhansan Mountain with Oh Eun-seok, Dobong District Mayor, on June 30 last year.
Is Dobong-gu the Gangnam of the Gangbuk area?
This question is drawing attention as Kim Jaeseop, a candidate from the People Power Party, was elected in Dobong-gap in the recent general election, prompting such evaluations.
In the last local election, Oh Eon-seok from the People Power Party was elected as the mayor of Dobong-gu. For 12 years during the 5th, 6th, and 7th terms of direct elections, Lee Dong-jin from the Democratic Party managed the district administration.
Following the election of Oh Eon-seok from the People Power Party in this traditionally Democratic area, Kim Jaeseop from the same party won in Dobong-gap in the recent general election, creating consecutive upsets.
Dobong-gu, along with Nowon-gu and Gangbuk-gu, is known as one of the representative areas of the so-called ‘No-Do-Gang’ (Nowon-Dobong-Gangbuk), where the Democratic Party has a stronghold.
In such an area, the phrase "Gangnam of Gangbuk" has emerged following these two consecutive upsets.
Dobong-gu has been a Democratic Party stronghold, home to the late Democratic lawmaker Kim Geun-tae, his wife lawmaker In Jae-geun, and former lawmaker Yoo In-tae.
Due to this atmosphere, Lee Dong-jin from the Democratic Party served as a three-term mayor.
However, in the 8th term local election, Oh Eon-seok from the People Power Party was elected mayor, causing the Democratic Party to shed tears.
Since taking office as mayor of Dobong-gu on July 1, 2022, Oh Eon-seok has demonstrated strong capability in resolving long-standing local issues, including ▲confirmation of the undergrounding of the GTX-C line in Dobong-gu ▲relaxation of height restrictions around Bukhansan Mountain ▲passing the environmental impact assessment for the Ui-Banghak light rail, earning applause from residents.
In particular, Mayor Oh is recognized for his excellent communication with residents, based on his unique affinity.
There is also analysis that Mayor Oh’s efforts influenced the election of Kim Jaeseop from the People Power Party in the recent general election.
However, Kim Seon-dong, a candidate who served as an aide to Mayor Oh, was defeated, leaving some regret.
While Mayor Oh won in one of the two districts, he could not hide his joy despite the bittersweet feelings.
Kim Jae-seop, the elected candidate, is celebrating his victory with his wife. (Photo by Yonhap News)
Meanwhile, Kim Jaeseop (36), a native of Dobong-gu and a graduate of Seoul National University Law School, was elected with 46,374 votes, winning by a margin of about 1,100 votes.
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