Press Conference During Business Trip on the 5th (Local Time)
"Party Must Show It Is Struggling to Change"
"Hunger for Work Grows" Hints at Third Term Bid
Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon criticized the People Power Party's efforts to change after the last presidential election, calling them "failing." He also suggested that merging with the Reform Party could be an option for party renewal.
On July 5 (local time), during a press conference held during his business trip in Milan, Italy, Mayor Oh said, "If you ask whether the People Power Party has made efforts to change itself after a crushing defeat in the election, I can only give a failing grade."
He continued, "Many citizens are giving the new government a favorable evaluation, but since all three branches of government are overwhelmingly dominated by a single party, there is likely a deep sense of unease as well. In such a situation, if we ask ourselves whether the People Power Party is truly reforming itself to dispel public anxiety, there is much to reflect on."
As one of the measures for renewal, he mentioned the possibility of a merger with the Reform Party. Mayor Oh said, "Discussing a merger with the Reform Party could be one of the methods," adding, "The merger itself is not the main goal, but rather, it is important to show the public that our party is making a desperate effort by utilizing such momentum."
Mayor Oh further stated, "I have been exchanging significant opinions with several key politicians, including young politicians from our party and those from the Reform Party," and added, "Even after returning to Korea, I plan to use the summer vacation period as an opportunity to more frequently seek out the roles I should play as a senior member of the party."
He also hinted at a possible bid for a third term as Seoul mayor in the local elections next June. In response to a related question, Mayor Oh said, "It is true that the more you work, the greater your ambition becomes," and added, "The most important criterion for deciding whether to run will be whether I am evaluated as having done my best to address the housing supply issue, which is the matter citizens care about most."
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