Jung Won-oh: 'Oh Incites Anxiety Every Election'; Oh Se-hoon: 'Jung, Don't Avoid Park Won-soon Season 2 Debate'

The race for the Seoul mayorship has officially intensified as Oh Se-hoon, the candidate for the People Power Party, completed his preliminary candidate registration, setting the stage for a direct contest with Jung Won-oh of the Democratic Party. The political landscape is already charged with sharp exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions and strategic maneuvering characteristic of South Korean elections.

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He can't even say a proper word against the incompetence and violence of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, but now he's starting to pick fights with the competent Lee Jae-myung administration. He's still trapped in the old frame of 2022.

Jung Won-oh has launched a strong critique against incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon, accusing him of resorting to divisive tactics. Jung specifically targeted Oh's repeated emphasis on tax issues, framing it as a deliberate attempt to stir public anxiety and inflame existing real estate disputes. He further asserted that Oh remains trapped in the political narratives of 2022, failing to address contemporary issues effectively. Jung also pointed to Oh's past reversal on land development regulations as evidence of inconsistent leadership that created confusion.

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He is the very person who created market chaos by impulsively lifting Seoul's land ownership system and then reversing it after 35 days. Now, shifting the responsibility to the government doesn't make sense.

In response, Oh Se-hoon has pushed back, urging Jung Won-oh not to shy away from the "Park Won-soon Season 2" debate. Oh suggested that Jung's reluctance stems from a difficult political calculation: acknowledging Park's failures could alienate his support base, while praising Park's tenure would be untenable given the widely perceived "lost decade" of his administration. Oh officially launched his campaign committee, emphasizing his long-standing commitment to the People Power Party, even adopting the party's signature red attire to signal solidarity and rally supporters.

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Jung Won-oh is avoiding the Park Won-soon Season 2 debate. It's probably because he fears losing supporters if he admits failure, but it's also clear that the 'lost decade' is a wound if he evaluates it as a success.

This electoral battle highlights a key dynamic in Seoul's political discourse: the framing of past administrations and their legacies. Jung seeks to position himself as a forward-looking leader, while Oh aims to draw a clear contrast, linking Jung to the controversial tenure of former Mayor Park Won-soon. The candidates' strategies reveal a focus on mobilizing their respective bases by leveraging historical narratives and current anxieties, particularly concerning urban development and governance.

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If I don't wear red, who will? Thinking of our party members who are spitting blood right now, our party's symbol color must be respected.