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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Seoul Mayoral Candidates Vote Early, Predict Victory in Close Race

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Seoul mayoral candidates Jeong Eun-oh and Oh Se-hoon participated in early voting, both expressing confidence in victory.
  • Jeong predicted a close race and appealed for new leadership, while Oh framed the election as a choice between progress and regression.
  • Both candidates urged high voter turnout to ensure their mandate if elected.

Seoul mayoral candidates Jeong Eun-oh of the Democratic Party and Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party cast their early votes on May 29th, each projecting confidence in their impending victory while appealing to voters.

Jeong Eun-oh, accompanied by his wife, voted at a polling station in Jung-gu. He urged citizens to elect a new mayor focused on safety, predicting a close contest. "I have predicted a close race for months and have prepared accordingly," Jeong stated. "The public's demand for new energy and leadership will be revealed in this election. Although it will be a close fight, I am confident of winning with that momentum."

I have predicted a close race for months and have prepared accordingly. The public's demand for new energy and leadership will be revealed in this election. Although it will be a close fight, I am confident of winning with that momentum.

— Jeong Eun-ohCommenting on the election's expected outcome after casting his early vote.

Oh Se-hoon, voting with his wife in Yongsan-gu, framed the election as a critical juncture for Seoul and national democracy. "Seoul is at a crossroads: will it move towards the future or regress?" Oh questioned. He warned that a victory for the Democratic Party could lead to unchecked "regime's solo run," referencing potential special prosecutors. "I hope voters consider how to lead President Lee Jae-myung's administration with a more humble heart through this election."

Seoul is at a crossroads: will it move towards the future or regress? I hope voters consider how to lead President Lee Jae-myung's administration with a more humble heart through this election.

— Oh Se-hoonFraming the election's significance after casting his early vote.

Regarding the election's trajectory, Oh claimed the gap between candidates is narrowing, with Jeong stagnating while his own campaign is gaining momentum. "I believe we can definitely turn things around in the early and main voting," he asserted.

Both candidates emphasized the importance of voter turnout. Jeong hoped for a turnout nearing 60%, believing it would grant the elected mayor a strong mandate to implement policies. Oh focused on the political implications of the vote, suggesting it would determine the direction of both the city and the nation.

The overall trend shows the gap narrowing. Candidate Jeong is stagnant, while I am on an upward trend. I believe we can definitely turn things around in the early and main voting.

— Oh Se-hoonAssessing the election's status after casting his early vote.
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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