Oh Se-hoon hints at early presidential election run... "Support rate will rise once the election gets underway"

Appearing on TV:
"I should announce my position after the impeachment verdict"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon hinted at preparing to run for an early presidential election during his first TV appearance since the impeachment phase. Regarding his approval rating, he predicted, "It tends to rise once the election gets underway."

On the afternoon of the 25th, Mayor Oh was asked about his intention to run for the early presidential election on TV Chosun's 'Gangjeokdeul.' He said, "As the incumbent mayor, it is very burdensome to reveal my position too early," adding, "It is preferable to announce my stance after the conclusion of the impeachment trial." When panelists mentioned, "It seems 100% certain that you intend to run," and "It looks like you have already made up your mind," he smiled and did not offer any particular rebuttal.

Yonhap News

Regarding the timing of the early presidential election, he assessed, "Military commanders have already been detained and are almost indicted for treason, so the probability of the impeachment being upheld is indeed high." Mayor Oh said, "We must prepare under the assumption that the impeachment trial could become quite complicated and prolonged," adding, "Many people talk about the 'Cherry Blossom Election' (late April), but we should keep in mind the possibility of the 'Rose Election' (May to June) or even later."

On the low approval ratings in polls for the next presidential candidate, he diagnosed, "It is because I am not a gladiator in the era of gladiators." He continued, "I am often classified as a rational moderate, but such people are less likely to respond to polls, which is often overlooked," and predicted, "When the election actually gets underway, my approval rating tends to suddenly rise from 3rd or 4th place."

Regarding evaluations that he appears weak in the party primary, Mayor Oh responded, "I think very differently. During the last party leader election of Lee Jun-seok, there was a strategic choice in the TK and PK regions, and now our party has also started strategic choices in Yeongnam."

When panelists pointed out that he does not clearly state his position on pro-Yoon or anti-Yoon factions, he replied, "The public's criteria for choosing a president can differ," adding, "Such declarations may have an impact, but what matters more is the trajectory a candidate has lived and the vision with which they engage in politics."

He drew a line on claims of election fraud, saying, "I find it difficult to agree." Mayor Oh emphasized, "I conducted an in-depth analysis of the circumstances of election fraud during my loss in the 2020 general election, but nothing was proven," and added, "Given that I achieved an unprecedented landslide victory in the subsequent Seoul mayoral by-election, I emotionally find it hard to agree with election fraud claims."

Targeting Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is classified as a strong presidential contender, he said, "Looking at recent trends, it seems he has become very impatient," adding, "He might think he can deceive the public with superficial sincerity, but almost no one will believe him, and sudden changes in stance will rather be poison to himself."