Ruling Party Leadership Counters Calls for Line Change with "Political Responsibility" Argument
"Reveals Their View of Public Office...The Judgment Belongs to the People"
On the 5th, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon said he was "truly disappointed" with People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk, who had told those demanding a change in the party line to "put their positions on the line" and take political responsibility. By doing so, he publicly raised an issue with the way the party leadership is responding, arguing it is inappropriate for a public official.
Oh Sehoon, Mayor of Seoul, is speaking at the People Power Party-Seoul City real estate policy council held at the National Assembly on Feb. 2, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
After finishing the "Forum on Designating City Buses as Essential Public Services" held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building that day, Mayor Oh met with reporters and said, "Many people of conviction have been calling on the party leadership to change its line, based on the judgment that we can only lead the local elections to victory if we sever ties with former President Yoon Suk Yeol and with martial law," adding, "I was expecting a response that reflected serious consideration of this, but what came back was, 'Do it by putting your position on the line.'"
He said, "Demanding that someone put their position on the line for making such an argument is not the attitude of a public official," and criticized, "The people entrusted us with our seats in the National Assembly and in the mayor's office, and to tell someone to risk that position in order to demand a change in the party line clearly reveals how one views public office." He then added, "The people will be the ones to judge."
His remarks were a rebuttal to what leader Jang had said earlier at a press briefing: "If anyone demands my resignation or a vote of confidence by tomorrow, I will comply and put it to a vote of all party members," and, "If the party members wish, I will step down not only from the party leadership but also from my parliamentary seat. However, lawmakers or metropolitan mayors and governors who make such demands must also bear corresponding political responsibility."
Mayor Oh particularly stressed the context of the upcoming local elections. He said, "Local elections that can keep the arrogant and runaway Lee Jaemyung administration in check are approaching," and explained, "The call for a change in the party line was made based on the judgment that, in order to lead these elections to victory, our party must reflect on its mistakes and sever ties with the past."
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