Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Debate Draws Ruling Party Leadership... "Boldly Transfer Authority to Local Governments" (Comprehensive)

Constitutional Amendment Debate Held at National Assembly Library
Dozens of Lawmakers, Including Party Leadership, Attend

On the 12th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited the National Assembly and ignited momentum for pushing a 'constitutional amendment' that boldly transfers central government authority to local governments. At this event, the party leadership, including Kwon Young-se, the Emergency Committee Chair of the People Power Party, and Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader, all attended in unison to support Mayor Oh's constitutional amendment proposal. When asked whether this was effectively a launch of his presidential bid, Mayor Oh drew a line, saying, "I cannot agree."

On the same day, Mayor Oh held a 'Constitutional Amendment Debate for Overcoming the 1987 System through Local Decentralization' at the National Assembly Library auditorium, stating that true decentralization requires boldly transferring power to local governments. He pointed to the cause of the emergency martial law situation as "the Democratic Party's parliamentary violence," and said, "In most cases, there are many ideas to change the single five-year presidential term to a four-year two-term system. I do not oppose that either," but added, "It would be a much better solution to prevent the evils of the overly powerful presidential system and reduce parliamentary violence by boldly transferring strong powers to local governments so they can devise development strategies and exercise financial authority."

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is delivering the opening remarks at the 'Local Decentralization Constitutional Amendment Forum to Overcome the 1987 System' held at the National Assembly Library on February 12, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Previously, Mayor Oh had advocated for the need for constitutional amendment since right after the emergency martial law incident last year. The purpose was to break the vicious cycle where the overly powerful presidential system and the legislative dominance of the large opposition party lead to political conflicts by changing the political system. At the New Year's press conference, he also said, "A constitutional amendment, including restructuring the power system to reduce the leader's risk and check parliamentary power, is necessary."

Regarding the day's topic of 'local decentralization,' he had emphasized it in various events and lectures last year. On this day, Mayor Oh said, "It should not be superficial local decentralization but substantial authority. In other words, only foreign affairs, security, and defense powers should remain with the president, and all other powers should be boldly transferred to metropolitan local governments." He proposed, "Currently, the ratio of national tax to local tax is 7 to 3, but we should boldly shift it to 5 to 5 or even more, completely transferring financial authority to local governments. From setting and collecting taxes to using tax revenues, all authority should be given to local governments."

He argued that not only should the president's powers be reduced, but the overwhelming powers of the legislature should also be checked. Mayor Oh said, "It would be good to discuss mutual checks and balances between the legislature and the government here. If a constitutional system is established where the government has the power to no-confidence the legislature and the legislature has the power to dissolve the cabinet, mutual checks and balances can prevent the political and constitutional disorder we are currently experiencing," adding, "Of course, since this involves cabinet system elements, sufficient discussion must precede on how to harmonize it with our presidential system."

The People Power Party leadership aligns with Mayor Oh, a potential 'presidential candidate,' in pushing for constitutional amendment. Floor Leader Kwon emphasized the need for constitutional amendment again on this day, following his speech to the parliamentary negotiation group representatives the day before. He explained, "The current political situation arose from a direct clash between presidential and parliamentary powers. It is proof that mutual checks and balances were not healthy. While the focus of discussion has been on how to limit the president's overly powerful authority, the focus now should be on how to limit the legislature's overly powerful authority and how to achieve mutual checks and balances."

Constitutional Amendment Debate, but Essentially a 'Presidential Election Launch'?

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is greeting attendees at the 'Local Autonomy Constitutional Amendment Forum to Overcome the 87 System' held at the National Assembly Library on the 12th. 2025.2.12 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

At the debate, Mayor Oh gathered numerous party members and citizens, showing his stature as a presidential candidate. When Mayor Oh entered the venue, attending citizens stood up, shouting "Fighting" and chanting "Oh Se-hoon," applauding him. The party leadership was fully present, and dozens of senior or key ruling party lawmakers, including Yoon Jae-ok, Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Ki-hyun, Joo Ho-young, and Choo Kyung-ho, attended, leaving no seats available. Lawmakers Kim Sang-wook and Kim Ye-ji, classified as party dissidents, were also present, as well as out-of-office party district committee chairs.

However, Mayor Oh insists that this debate is unrelated to his presidential bid. He said, "I cannot agree with the view that today's debate is linked to a presidential campaign. The framework of the constitutional amendment I proposed today is a refined version of what I presented at last year's political science association-hosted debate," cutting off the suggestion.

Regarding whether he will run in an early presidential election, he was evasive, saying "legal procedures are underway." Mayor Oh responded, "The Constitutional Court is currently conducting a trial. I think it is not too late to discuss an early presidential election after the conclusion."

On the 'fraudulent election theory' claimed by President Yoon Suk-yeol's side, he expressed the need to improve 'poor management.' Mayor Oh said, "The public is raising issues about poor management of the election. Especially, our party has raised significant concerns about early voting, proposing early voting close to the main election day, and I agree with that part."