Park Becomes First Democratic Party Member to Officially Declare Seoul Mayoral Bid
Park Hongkeun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on November 26 his intention to run for Mayor of Seoul in the June 3 local elections next year.
On the afternoon of the same day, Assemblyman Park held a press conference in front of Seoul City Hall and declared, "I will write a new chapter in Seoul's history together with its great citizens."
He stated, "Next year's local elections go beyond simply forming new local governments and councils; they are a decisive turning point for the sovereign people to deliver a stern political judgment, bring a complete end to insurrectionist forces, and firmly root the Lee Jaemyung administration among the people. At the center of this is the Seoul mayoral election."
He continued, "As the architect of the Lee Jaemyung administration and a companion to President Lee Jaemyung, I intend to design the great future of the capital, Seoul," adding, "I will become a 'change maker' for a new Seoul."
His campaign pledges for the Seoul mayoral race include: ▲ Rapid expansion of affordable housing supply ▲ Establishment of integrated care services centered on care recipients ▲ Free fares for village buses ▲ Rational improvement of the subway free ride system for seniors ▲ Reducing transportation disparities between Gangnam and non-Gangnam areas ▲ Raising the joint property tax sharing ratio.
Targeting current Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon of the People Power Party, Park remarked, "Seoul citizens are now surrounded by the three insecurities: instability, inequality, and imbalance." He criticized Mayor Oh's flagship projects, such as the Han River bus project and the redevelopment plan near Jongmyo, as "the epitome of showy administration."
Park, a fourth-term senior lawmaker, previously served as the Democratic Party's floor leader and, under the Lee Jaemyung administration, chaired the Policy Planning Subcommittee of the National Policy Planning Committee.
Among Democratic Party figures, Park is the first to officially declare a bid for Seoul mayor.
Other potential candidates within the party include Assembly members Seo Youngkyo (four-term), Park Jumin, Jeon Hyunhee (three-term), Kim Youngbae (two-term), former lawmakers Hong Ikpyo and Park Yongjin, and Jeong Weono, Mayor of Seongdong District.
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