[Presidential Candidate]⑦ 'Impeachment Supporter' Oh Se-hoon Bets on Livelihood Issues

First Position Reversal Among People Power Party Provincial Governors
Emergency Economic Meeting Held to Seek Solutions for Livelihood Stability
Possible Calls to Run Depending on Ruling Party Situation

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon initially changed his stance from opposing to supporting the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol. He was the first among the People Power Party-affiliated city and provincial governors to do so. On the 6th, Mayor Oh, along with other governors, called for President Yoon to step back to a secondary role and for the formation of a national unity cabinet led by a prime minister responsible for governance, instead of impeachment. However, after learning in detail about the illegal and unconstitutional facts related to the December 3 emergency martial law, he reportedly changed his mind. From immediately after the declaration of martial law until the impeachment motion against President Yoon was passed, Mayor Oh focused on actions centered on people’s livelihoods, differentiating himself from other politicians.

On the 4th, when the martial law was lifted, Mayor Oh canceled a scheduled business trip to India and convened an emergency executive meeting. Amid political turmoil, as the incumbent Seoul mayor, he sought ways to minimize the damage caused by the martial law situation. He particularly concentrated on economic issues. On the 9th, he decided to expedite the execution of next year’s job creation budget and established special funds for small business owners. Additionally, to minimize damage to the tourism industry, he expanded the emergency support account of the Seoul Tourism Promotion Fund. Mayor Oh emphasized, "We will hold daily emergency economic meetings to gather solutions from the field." At the same time, he expressed his sense of duty as a politician, stating, "As a senior member of the ruling party, I will start thinking about future solutions and gathering the wisdom of the people."

Two days before the second vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon, Mayor Oh changed his position to support impeachment. This appears to be in consideration of the moderate public sentiment. After the martial law incident, President Yoon’s approval rating dropped to the 10% range, marking an all-time low in various opinion polls. On the 12th, before President Yoon’s national address, Mayor Oh stated on his social media (SNS), "Based on the facts revealed so far, (President Yoon) must face legal judgment through impeachment." Regarding this change of heart, Mayor Oh’s office explained, "We do not know how the conclusion of the impeachment motion will turn out, but we believe that issues related to the emergency martial law should now be handled by the Constitutional Court," adding, "Global investors are watching the Korean economy, and as a responsible politician, I had to talk about a predictable tomorrow."

An early presidential election is not a favorable scenario for Mayor Oh. He returned to the Seoul mayor’s office after 10 years by winning the 2021 by-election. He then achieved consecutive victories in the 2022 local elections, becoming the first Seoul mayor to serve four terms. With more than a year left in his current term, it is burdensome to give up the mayoral position and jump into the presidential race. His support base within the party is also not strong. However, as a 'prepared candidate' within the ruling party, he may be strongly urged to run depending on the situation. Mayor Oh is also expected to engage in legal disputes with political brokers Myung Tae-kyun and Kang Hye-kyung. On the 3rd, he decided to file complaints with the prosecution against Myung, Kang, and former lawmaker Kim Young-sun for fraud and obstruction of business. If he runs, there is a possibility he will be caught up in malicious public opinion battles during the presidential campaign.