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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Seoul Mayor to Register Early for Local Elections, Seeks Extended Campaign Window

From Hankyoreh · (6m ago) Korean Mixed tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon will register as a preliminary candidate for the June 3rd local elections on May 27th.
  • This early registration will extend his suspension of duties by approximately 17 days, allowing more campaign time.
  • Oh also expressed frustration with the ruling party's leader, suggesting he should reduce his public activities.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is set to officially enter the race for the upcoming June 3rd local elections by registering as a preliminary candidate on May 27th. While the official candidate registration period is in mid-May, Oh's campaign has opted for an earlier submission. This strategic move, according to an aide, is driven by the "grave" current political climate and the need to "appeal to voters" even while on suspension of duties. By registering as a preliminary candidate, Oh's suspension of mayoral duties will be extended by about 17 days compared to registering during the official period, granting him a crucial additional window for campaigning.

We believe the current election situation is very grave.

— Oh Se-hoon campaign officialExplaining the decision to register as a preliminary candidate earlier than the official period.

The mayor's camp emphasizes that Seoul's administrative functions are well-prepared for his absence, with deputy mayors ready to manage city affairs. This proactive approach to maximizing campaign time underscores the perceived importance of the upcoming election and Oh's determination to secure a victory. The decision reflects a common tactic in Korean elections where candidates seek every possible advantage to connect with the electorate.

We decided to register as a preliminary candidate before the official election period because we believe it is necessary to appeal to voters in earnest, even if our duties are suspended.

— Oh Se-hoon campaign officialFurther elaborating on the strategic timing of the preliminary candidate registration.

Adding to the internal party dynamics, Oh Se-hoon has also publicly voiced his dissatisfaction with the current leadership of the People Power Party. Appearing on a TV Chosun YouTube channel, he suggested that party leader Jang Dong-hyuk should "lie low" and "reduce his scope of activity" for the sake of the election campaign. This criticism comes in the wake of recent polls showing a dip in the party's approval ratings, with Oh implying that the leader should take responsibility. The mayor's candid remarks highlight internal tensions within the party as it gears up for the crucial local elections, with different factions vying for influence and strategy.

The deputy mayors are in place, and the system is set up, so we are prepared for any disruption to city administration.

— Oh Se-hoon campaign officialReassuring about the continuity of Seoul's governance during the extended campaign period.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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