Oh calls on voters to keep Lee administration, real estate policy in check in Seoul mayor re-election bid

Oh Se-hoon, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) candidate for Seoul mayor, said the June 3 local elections will serve as a referendum to keep in check the Lee Jae Myung administration and its real estate policy in a forum on Thursday.  

"We are at a crossroads where we must decide if the Lee Jae Myung administration can shift to a mode of humility, or move beyond soft dictatorship to a more blatant, rougher form," Oh said, speaking at a forum organized by the Korea News Editors Association at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in central Seoul.  

Oh said the direction of housing policy, keeping checks and balances on the liberal Lee administration and the sustainability of Seoul's urban competitiveness achievements would be key factors in the upcoming Seoul mayoral election, which pits him against the ruling Democratic Party (DP) candidate Chong Won-o, the former head of Seondong District Office.  

Oh aims to win his third consecutive term as mayor of Seoul.

In 2000, Oh was elected as a lawmaker representing Seoul's Gangnam constituency, then elected to his first four-year term as Seoul mayor in 2006. He was re-elected for a second term, but his term was cut short after he resigned over the results of a 2011 referendum on free school meals.

Oh made a subsequent comeback as Seoul mayor, winning the by-election in 2021 and being re-elected in 2022.  

Earlier Thursday, the forum, attended by editors and executives from newspapers, broadcasters and news agencies ahead of the June 3 local elections, hosted a separate session with the DP's candidate Chong.

"This election holds several meanings, but the most important issue is how to resolve the housing problem," Oh said.  

Oh challenged Chong's housing pledge to reduce the duration of urban renewal projects by 10 years, noting that the liberal DP has traditionally "been very hostile toward urban renewal, reconstruction and redevelopment" projects.

He criticized late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon's real estate policies as being the "decisive cause of the current housing crisis," referring to "the cancellation of 389 redevelopment and reconstruction projects" over the course of his 10-year tenure.  

"The very people who implemented those policies back then are still in the DP and have joined candidate Chong's campaign and are now discussing real estate policies," Oh said, saying he believes they will "return to the old stance."

He challenged Chong's development plan for the Yongsan International Business District, including his pledge to shorten reconstruction and redevelopment periods, accusing him of a lack of attention to detail.  

Regarding Chong's plan to bring the "UN AI Hub" to Seoul, Oh said, "You can only attract it once the building is constructed," adding that a mayor "can't even dream of such a thing in a four-year term, and even if he worked for eight years, it would be questionable whether it would be possible."

Likewise, Oh rebutted Chong's criticism of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's key projects under his leadership.

Regarding the controversy over the "Garden of Gratitude" memorial honoring the 22 nations that fought on the South Korean side in the 1950-53 Korean War at Gwanghwamun Square, Oh said, "While Gwanghwamun Square embodies the patriotic spirit of Admiral Yi Sun-shin and the benevolence of King Sejong from the Joseon Dynasty [1392-1910], it does not contain the identity of the Republic of Korea, such as freedom, democracy and peace." The Republic of Korea is South Korea's official name. 

Oh said that the memorial proceeded after discussions with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and a public opinion poll led by the DP's city council members showed a 68 percent approval rate for the Korean War memorial.

"Disparaging such a project as a mere election stunt simply because the election is imminent is a political ploy by the DP," Oh said.  

Oh addressed Chong's criticism of the Hangang Bus ferry service, which has faced a series of operational challenges and glitches.

"The Hangang Bus had become heavily politicized, making it seem like a terrible project, but since operations resumed in March, the DP has remained silent," Oh said, assuring that "satisfaction is high."

Regarding Chong's remarks that taxpayers are covering the deficit from the Hangang Bus, Oh shot back that the candidate is "speaking out of ignorance" and clarified that "tax money is not being used." He said the revenue "comes from food and beverage businesses, and the facility is equipped for video advertising," adding that advertising revenue generated will "fully cover the maintenance costs of approximately 25 billion won ($17 million) per year if needed."  

He promised that the ferry service "could turn a sufficient profit within three years."

Oh also pointed to Chong's alleged assault case from 1995 and said that "it is his duty to explain the matter himself," adding that "since various allegations have been raised, he must provide a convincing explanation based on the situation that has emerged so far."

During the forum, Oh again urged his DP rival Chong to engage in a one-on-one debate, saying he is open to all formats.  

Oh said that "it would be fine if DP Chairman Jung Chung-rae moderated the debate on Kim Ou-joon's program," referring to the liberal political commentator.  

Oh said it is "truly regrettable" that Chong avoids a debate, saying it goes against the "citizens of Seoul's right to know" and is a "minimum level of courtesy."

Earlier Thursday, Oh met with former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min, a reformist conservative, who pledged his support. As Seoul has a large proportion of undecided voters, Oh appeared to be attempting to appeal to centrists.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]