[Interview] Oh Sehyun, Democratic Party Asan Mayoral Candidate: "The Right Person to Fix the Ruined City Administration"

"I Will Correct Administrative Confusion and Become a Mayor Who Listens with Greater Humility"
"I Will Prepare Alternatives for the Gongju~Cheonan Expressway That Prevent Harm to Citizens"

Oh Sehyun, the Democratic Party of Korea's prospective candidate running in the upcoming by-election for Asan Mayor in Chungnam on April 2, emphasized, "The top priority is to quickly stabilize the drifting city administration and restore public trust in governance."

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 13th, Oh said, "This unnecessary by-election is being held due to election crimes caused by the lies and false information of the previous mayor," and added, "We must swiftly normalize the administration that is directly connected to the lives of 400,000 Asan citizens."

He mentioned his experience as both deputy mayor and mayor, stating, "This by-election is an emergency situation where the winner must take over city administration the very next day," and emphasized, "As someone who knows Asan's administration better than anyone, I can start work immediately without any period of adjustment."

Regarding the Gongju~Cheonan expressway route issue, he stated, "I will actively consult with Cheonan City to devise alternatives that can prevent any harm to citizens."

On the allegations of corruption in the hiring process for the CEO of the Asan Cultural Foundation, he said, "A change in mayor does not mean we can arbitrarily overturn legitimate personnel actions made by the previous mayor," but added, "However, if the suspicions raised at the time are true, we will thoroughly verify them and take appropriate legal action according to the law and principles."

He described the meaning of this election as "the citizens' judgment on the election crimes caused by the lies and false information of the previous mayor," and emphasized, "I will correct the confusion in city administration and become a mayor who listens to and communicates with citizens with greater humility."

The following is a Q&A with the prospective candidate Oh.

-Asan City has declared 2025~2026 as the 'Visit Asan Years.' The city plans to seek ways to revitalize tourism, focusing on the Sinjeongho Local Garden, which will open in April. With the election date overlapping with the official start of the Visit Asan Years, what tourism revitalization plans do you have in mind?

▲I understand that Asan City conducted a service last year to establish a comprehensive tourism development plan and a promotion plan for the Asan Oncheon Special Zone.

If elected mayor, I will first review the existing revitalization plans being promoted by Asan City, and systematically proceed by gathering sufficient opinions from citizens and experts to establish the most effective plan.

Asan already boasts nationally renowned tourist attractions such as Onyang Oncheon, Dogo Oncheon, Asan Oncheon, Hyeonchungsa, as well as Sinjeongho, Eunhaengnamu-gil, Gokgyocheon, Oeam Folk Village, Yeonginsan Natural Recreation Forest, and Asan Bay, among others.

I will make the most of the unique characteristics of these resources to create tourism conditions that can only be seen, experienced, and enjoyed in Asan. I will build a sustainable tourism city where tradition and modernity coexist.

-Although the long-standing conflict over the Asan-Cheonan incinerator has been resolved, the Cheonan~Gongju expressway route issue remains at a standstill. Asan opposes the route, citing reasons such as it passing through a new city, while Cheonan insists on its necessity. How do you plan to resolve this conflict?

▲I agree that the Cheonan-Gongju expressway is necessary for transportation convenience and efficiency.

If there is a guarantee that Asan citizens will suffer no harm or loss, Asan City has no reason to oppose it. However, the routes proposed by the current private expressway operator would disrupt new city development or are expected to cause serious harm to Asan citizens.

Therefore, Asan City has proposed an alternative bypass route to the operator that would not affect new city development or harm citizens. I intend to actively engage in consultations with Cheonan City to find a wise solution that allows both cities to prosper together without causing inconvenience or harm to Asan citizens.

-With the mayoral seat vacant and even the city council in disarray, what approach do you believe is needed to stabilize city administration?

▲Asan is like a ship adrift with no captain at the helm. Due to election crimes committed by the previous mayor from the People Power Party, based on lies and falsehoods, there is now an administrative vacuum, and an unnecessary by-election is costing citizens over 2.3 billion won in tax money.

Normally, when a new mayor is elected, there is a period for an inauguration committee and briefings to understand the current situation, but this by-election is an emergency where the winner must take over city administration the very next day.

It usually takes at least several months to grasp the city administration directly tied to the lives of 400,000 Asan citizens, but as a former deputy mayor and the 7th popularly elected mayor of Asan, I do not need additional time to adapt. I can start work immediately upon the start of my term.

In such a time of confusion, only a candidate like myself, with ample experience in Asan city administration and governance, is qualified to correct the administration ruined by an amateur mayor.

-During Park Kyunggui's tenure as mayor, there were many criticisms of unilateral decision-making without communication with the city council. If elected, how do you plan to communicate?

▲I have heard many citizens' opinions about the incomprehensible management style of former Mayor Park. In particular, his stubborn and high-handed attitude?refusing to execute budgets he had already decided on, even clashing with both Democratic and People Power Party council members and fighting with parents?was far from common sense.

I will make open and honest communication a daily practice. After losing in the last local election and living as a private citizen, the most important lesson I learned and worked on was communication. I will listen more humbly and communicate more. My principle will be to listen first before asserting my own opinions.

-There have been multiple suspicions raised regarding the hiring process for the CEO of the Asan Cultural Foundation, but the office continues without any particular verification process. What is your view, and what actions will you take if elected?

▲First, it is a priority to thoroughly verify the relevant facts. A change in mayor does not mean that personnel actions legitimately carried out during the previous mayor's term can be arbitrarily overturned or powers abused.

As seen in the recent court ruling that found illegality in the dismissal of former KBS President Kim Eui-cheol by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, abuse of power is a serious crime that greatly undermines public trust in our society.

However, if the various suspicions raised at the time of hiring prove to be true, I believe it is only right and my duty to take strict action in accordance with proper procedures and administrative processes.

-What is the significance of this election and your election strategy?

▲This election is for citizens to judge the insurrection of President Yoon Suk-yeol and the election crimes caused by the lies and false information of former Mayor Park Kyunggui. These days, Asan seems like a microcosm of Korea.

All three previous conservative mayors have been punished. Yet, former Mayor Park was busy making excuses to defend himself with all sorts of reasons, without a single word of apology to the citizens. If he had any respect for Asan citizens or their honor, could he act this way?

I believe Asan citizens will use their votes to reprimand the illegal, immoral, and irresponsible president, government, ruling party, and People Power Party. I hope voters will carefully consider which party and candidate are truly responsible.

I have no special election strategy. Listening to citizens' voices with greater humility and communicating sincerely?having these basics is the most powerful strategy, I believe.