"'Bulchulma' Oh Se-hoon, Democrats say 'Natural Decision'... Opposition Lawmakers Agree"

"Absurd for a Party Collaborating with the Insurrection to Run in the Presidential Election"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is entering the press conference room at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 12th to declare his withdrawal from the presidential race. The Democratic Party of Korea commented on Mayor Oh's declaration, saying, "It is a natural decision, and it is absurd to run for president under the name of the pro-North Korea party." Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is entering the press conference room at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 12th to declare his withdrawal from the presidential race. Mayor Oh stated, "To normalize the abnormal situation, I will serve as a catalyst by dedicating myself wholeheartedly."

The Democratic Party of Korea stated on the 12th that Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's sudden announcement of his decision not to run in the presidential election is "a natural decision, as it is absurd for the party collaborating with the insurrection to participate in the presidential election."

Spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong said in a written briefing, "Mayor Oh's declaration of non-candidacy clearly shows the attitude the People Power Party should have toward the presidential election. The party collaborating with the insurrection should stop mocking the people and admit that it is not qualified to run in the presidential election."

Spokesperson Ahn referred to Mayor Oh's statement at the non-candidacy press conference, "I will serve quietly to normalize the abnormal," and said, "The abnormality of the Republic of Korea began with the couple Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Geon-hui," emphasizing, "The way to correct the abnormality is to judge the People Power Party, which sympathizes with the insurrection and still supports Yoon Seok-yeol."

He highlighted Mayor Oh's remark, "After the impeachment decision, our party entered the presidential election phase as if nothing happened, and everyone is stepping forward to become a presidential candidate. How would this appear to the public?" and pointed out, "This is a painful rebuke to the People Power Party's presidential candidates."

Spokesperson Ahn also stated, "Mayor Oh is the person who should first undergo prosecution investigation related to the Myeong Tae-gyun gate."

Opposition party lawmakers also made similar remarks. Lawmaker Chu Mi-ae wrote on Facebook, "Myeong Tae-gyun is really powerful. Now they are sorting out the candidate of the party collaborating with the insurrection," and Lawmaker Park Hong-geun urged, "If you sincerely reflect on the failure of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, step down from your mayoral position and sincerely cooperate with the investigation of the Myeong Tae-gyun gate."

Mayor Oh held a press conference at around 11 a.m. at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido and said, "I will play the role of a primer by serving quietly to normalize the abnormal."

He added, "Drive is an important virtue for politicians, but courage to stop when necessary is also needed. I am giving up the opportunity to run, but I have only one request for the party and candidates: I hope they set 'renewed growth' and 'accompanying the vulnerable' as the core agenda of the presidential election."