Seoul Mayor...Who Will Challenge Oh Sehoon? [2026 Local Elections] ①

Numerous Democratic Party Candidates Expected, Including Park Honggeun and Park Jumin
Kim Minseok and Park Yongman Also Potential Contenders
Mayor Oh Sehoon Already Moving to Defend His Position

Editor's NoteThe Jaemyung Lee administration, which was launched on June 4, has yet to fully establish its lineup. Both the ruling and opposition parties are busy forming new leadership teams. The 9th local elections are scheduled for June 3 next year, leaving 11 months to go. While this may seem like plenty of time, that is not necessarily the case. Behind the scenes, the race for the local elections has already begun. Next year's local elections are particularly noteworthy as they will take place just one year after the Jaemyung Lee administration came to power. There is keen interest in how the current map of metropolitan mayors and governors-currently 11 for the People Power Party and 5 for the Democratic Party of Korea-might change, and whether the Democratic Party will secure local power in addition to legislative and executive power. Starting with Seoul, we examine the expected candidates for metropolitan leadership positions in each region. ① Seoul Mayor

In local elections held within about a year of a new administration taking office, the ruling party has always emerged victorious. This was the case in the 2nd local elections held six months after the Kim Daejung administration took office, the 7th local elections held 13 months after the Moon Jaein administration began, and the 8th local elections held three months after the Yoon Sukyeol administration started. This is why competition among candidates within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea is expected to be fierce. While the general election itself will be competitive, the contest to become the party’s nominee is also expected to be intense. This is already prompting prospective candidates to begin moving.

The Democratic Party of Korea suffered consecutive defeats in the Seoul mayoral races during the 2021 by-elections and the 2022 local elections. This time, the party is determined to reclaim the position. In the 2022 presidential election, President Jaemyung Lee trailed candidate Sukyeol Yoon by about 310,000 votes in Seoul. However, in the most recent presidential race, he received 367,000 more votes than candidate Moonsu Kim. On the surface, this suggests the Democratic Party’s prospects in Seoul have improved compared to the past. However, it cannot be said that the party holds a clear advantage. In the last presidential election, candidate Junsuk Lee of the Reform Party received 9.94% of the vote in Seoul. When combined with Moonsu Kim's vote share of 41.55%, the total reaches 51.49%, which is 4.3 percentage points ahead of Jaemyung Lee's 47.13%. Considering that some of the votes for Junsuk Lee may shift to the Democratic Party, it appears that voter sentiment in Seoul is currently evenly split between the two major parties.

Within the People Power Party, aside from Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, who is seeking a third consecutive term, no other prominent contenders have emerged. It appears difficult for the party to find an alternative candidate who matches Mayor Oh in terms of public recognition, centrist appeal, and administrative expertise in Seoul. In a recent meeting with People Power Party regional chairpersons, Mayor Oh stated that the People Power Party and the Reform Party must unite in order to have a chance against the Democratic Party’s candidate in next year’s local elections. He seems to believe that if the race is structured as a three-way contest between the Democratic Party, the People Power Party, and the Reform Party, victory will be difficult. In this context, whether the election will be a two-way race is a key point of interest in next year’s Seoul mayoral contest.

Mayor Oh has recently brought back his close aide, former Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs Kang Chulwon, as Chief Brand Officer. He has also created a new position for Chief of Housing and Real Estate Policy. With the upcoming election, he has begun reorganizing his political team. One potential variable for Mayor Oh is the "Myung Taegyun allegations." Mayor Oh has consistently claimed he is not involved. A special prosecutor’s investigation is expected to begin soon, and the impact of this issue may determine Mayor Oh’s political fate.

Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon attended the 'Creative Ideathon Proposed by AI' held on the 22nd at Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

There are many potential candidates mentioned both inside and outside the Democratic Party of Korea. First, Assemblyman Park Honggeun (four-term), who represents Jungnang-gu-eul, has expressed his intention to run. Formerly the president of the Kyung Hee University student council and a former floor leader of the Democratic Party, Assemblyman Park is currently serving as Planning Division Chief of the National Policy Planning Committee, overseeing the committee’s overall operations, including the restructuring of government ministries. He is expected to report to President Jaemyung Lee and conclude his activities around August 15. Once his work at the National Policy Planning Committee is finished, he is expected to officially begin his campaign.

Park Honggeun, Planning Division Chief of the National Policy Planning Committee, is giving a post-briefing on the meeting with victims of jeonse fraud at the National Policy Planning Committee office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News

Assemblyman Park Jumin (three-term), who represents Eunpyeong-gu-gap, previously declared his candidacy for Seoul mayor in 2022 but withdrew after just two days. This demonstrates how long he has been preparing to run for mayor. During the last presidential election, he served as the Seoul Chair of the Democratic Party's "Neighborhood Campaign Committee," actively campaigning throughout the city. On May 12, he also served as the host for Jaemyung Lee’s campaign kickoff event at Cheonggye Plaza in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. On the 6th, Assemblyman Park appeared on CBS Radio’s "Park Jaehong’s One-Punch Match," where he stated, "I am considering running for Seoul mayor as my main focus," publicly expressing his intention to run.

Chairman Jumin Park of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee (far left) held a meeting with the Korean Intern Resident Association on the 14th at the National Assembly to discuss the reconstruction of critical and core medical care. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Assemblywoman Jeon Hyunhee (three-term), who represents Jung-gu-Seongdong-gu-gap, has also long been interested in running for Seoul mayor. She raised her profile as Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission during the Yoon Sukyeol administration and is currently a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party. During the last presidential election, she, along with Assemblymen Minseok Kim and Park Jumin, served as Seoul Chairs of the Democratic Party's "Neighborhood Campaign Committee," giving her the opportunity to refine her policy ideas. Assemblywoman Seo Youngkyo (four-term), who represents Jungnang-gu-gap, has also stated in media interviews that "if there is a role for me to serve the citizens of Seoul, I will prepare diligently," drawing attention to the possibility of her running for mayor.

Outside the National Assembly, Hong Ikpyo, former floor leader and current regional chairperson for Seocho-gu-eul (three-term), is actively preparing. In the 22nd general election, he made a bold move by leaving his previous constituency of Jung-gu-Seongdong-gu-gap to run in Seocho-gu-eul in Gangnam but failed to secure a fourth term. Leveraging his experience as floor leader, he is increasing his public profile through frequent communication with lawmakers and appearances on various broadcast programs. Among Seoul's district mayors, Jung Wonoh, the only three-term mayor of Seongdong-gu, is also considering a run for Seoul mayor.

However, some within the ruling party have raised different perspectives. There are concerns that the current potential candidates may not be heavyweight enough to compete against a prominent figure like Oh Sehoon. This is why names such as Prime Minister Minseok Kim and former Doosan Group Chairman Yongman Park are being mentioned. Depending on the flow of political events and public opinion, the Democratic Party’s pool of Seoul mayoral candidates could change at any time.

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