On the 23rd, 100 days before the June 3 local elections, the Democratic Party of Korea began interviews for metropolitan mayor and governor candidates, starting with the Seoul mayor. The candidates joined voices to say that a capable person must be elected mayor to win back Seoul in this election.

Pre-candidates of the Democratic Party of Korea running for Seoul mayor in the June 3 local elections pose for a commemorative photo as they attend interviews for metropolitan government candidates at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd. From left: Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Young-bae, former Military Human Rights Center secretary-general Kim Hyeong-nam, Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Park Ju-min, Park Hong-keun, and Jeon Hyun-hee, and Seongdong-gu Mayor Chong Won-o./Courtesy of Yonhap News

The party's nomination management committee held its second meeting that morning at the central party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and conducted interviews with the metropolitan candidates. All six Seoul mayoral hopefuls—Kim Young-bae, Kim Hyung-nam, Park Ju-min, Park Hong-geun, Chun Hyun-hee, and Chong Won-o (in alphabetical order)—attended.

Before the interview began, Rep. Kim Young-bae met with reporters and said, "I believe this Seoul mayoral election is the first practical step to overcoming a rebellion," adding, "I will become the first Seoul mayor who can end the era of inequality."

Rep. Park Hong-geun said, "Seoul has so many problems. To save a city in crisis, we need proven leadership." Rep. Chun Hyun-hee said, "If you ask whether Seoul residents are happy, I don't think many would say they are," adding, "I decided to run for Seoul mayor because I want to make a Seoul where residents are happy."

Democratic Party of Korea Seoul mayoral candidates Kim Young-bae, Park Ju-min, Park Hong-keun, and Jeon Hyun-hee, along with Seongdong-gu Mayor Chong Won-o, attend the Central Party Nomination Management Committee's second meeting and metropolitan candidate interviews at the Democratic Party of Korea headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 23rd./Courtesy of News1

The interviews were conducted by having each candidate enter one by one and answer individual questions for about seven minutes. The committee said it asked the candidates questions across a wide range of fields.

After finishing the interview, Seongdong District Chief Chong Won-o said, "There was a question about what stance I have on fiscal issues across Seoul and on the finances of autonomous districts," adding, "It stood out because it was a technical question."

Rep. Park Ju-min said, "I conveyed my thoughts to the committee on preparations and plans for the future, and on what would be needed." Kim Hyung-nam, former secretary-general of the Center for Military Human Rights who is running for Seoul mayor, said, "There was a question asking for solutions to the low birthrate issue."

At the meeting, Kim Yi-soo, chair of the party's nomination committee, said, "With the start of interviews for the Seoul mayoral candidates, the framework of the nomination review is coming together," emphasizing, "Based on a finely tuned, system-based nomination process, we will single out the most suitable candidate."

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