Kim Jongin: "If Jung Wono Runs, Oh Sehoon Will Face Major Difficulties... Seoul Citizens Don't Want a Mayor Seeking the Presidency"

Kim Jongin Predicts Next Year's Seoul Mayoral Race
Agrees "Jung Wono Is a Formidable Rival to Oh Sehoon"
President Lee and Mayor Oh Also Give Positive Assessments of Jung Wono

Former Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, Kim Jongin, predicted that if next year's Seoul mayoral election is held as a contest between Oh Sehoon and Jung Wono, "Mayor Oh Sehoon will face significant difficulties." In an interview on December 11 with CBS Radio's "Kim Hyunjung's News Show," Kim was asked whether he believed that Jung Wono would be a formidable rival to Mayor Oh. He replied, "I think so."

Former Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, Kim Jongin, predicted that if next year's Seoul mayoral election is held as a contest between Oh Sehoon and Jung Wono, "Mayor Oh Sehoon will face significant difficulties." Photo by The Asia Business Daily

Kim Jongin stated, "Seoul citizens do not want someone with a grand political career or someone who thinks becoming Seoul mayor is a stepping stone to the presidency." He argued, "They will prefer someone who can communicate about the realities of daily life and has the ability to solve those problems." He added, "That is why I think Mayor Jung is starting to gain attention now."

When the host mentioned that there are about eight other prominent candidates in the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim responded, "Aren't they all politicians?" and emphasized, "Mayor Jung is a complete administrator." He continued, "What kind of mayor do the people of Seoul want right now?" and pointed out, "Although many influential politicians have served as Seoul mayor in the past, citizens will consider what those people actually did for the city." Regarding Jung's low name recognition, Kim cited former Seoul Mayor Cho Soon and said, "Support can rise quickly."

Regarding the outlook for the local elections, Kim said, "Some lawmakers within the People Power Party are saying that if the election were held tomorrow under the current circumstances, the results would be similar to the 2018 local elections," and added, "Except for the mayor of Daegu and the governor of North Gyeongsang Province, didn't the party lose everything back then?" He further stated, "(The People Power Party) must forget everything that happened before former President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached on April 4 this year," and emphasized, "They must also forget all the previous conflicts and present a new image, or there is no hope. But right now, they are not doing that."

Jung Wonoh, Mayor of Seongdong District and a rising candidate for the next Seoul mayor, Democratic Party of Korea. The Asia Business Daily DB

Meanwhile, Mayor Jung is rapidly emerging as a leading candidate for the next Seoul mayor ahead of next year's local elections. On December 9, President Lee Jaemyung shared a news article reporting that Mayor Jung received a 92.9% positive rating in a district administration satisfaction survey among Seongdong-gu residents. President Lee commented, "Mayor Jung must be doing a great job. My satisfaction rating as mayor of Seongnam was quite high, but it seems I wouldn't even be able to compete." Mayor Oh also made positive remarks on December 7, stating, "Mayor Jung expressed a slightly different view on the Han River bus issue," and added, "Just as I highly valued his work ability, he shows a somewhat differentiated perspective compared to other candidates in terms of insight."

In an interview on MBC Radio's "Kim Jongbae's Focus" on December 10, Mayor Jung addressed the possibility of running for Seoul mayor, saying, "After the district council's review of next year's budget is completed next week, I will consider it and make a decision," and added, "I am almost mentally prepared."