Chong Won-o, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Seoul mayor, on the 15th directly answered reporters' questions on major pending issues. Chong had rarely answered questions not related to policy and had not held back-briefings after official events. But on this day, he took a proactive stance, answering reporters' questions himself for 15 minutes.
That morning, at the National Assembly Communication Center, Chong held a press conference and pledged to issue 2.5 trillion won in local love gift certificates. He promised to raise the discount rate to 10% and increase both the purchase limit and the holding limit.
At the back-briefing held after the press conference, he personally answered each of the reporters' questions on current issues. Regarding the People Power Party's allegations over an alcohol-fueled assault 31 years ago, Chong flatly said the attempted prostitution suspicion was "fabricated." He said, "(Oh Se-hoon) is engaging in fabrication and mudslinging out of a judgment that it is hard to overturn this election."
On the controversy over the newly installed sculpture "Garden of Gratitude" in Gwanghwamun Square, he said, "Expressing gratitude to the 22 belligerent nations is an entirely proper intention, but the current location, which lacks spatial context, is not appropriate," adding, "A square is, literally, an open space for citizens, but it has been blocked off and made closed by the installation."
Visiting the "Garden of Gratitude" at Gwanghwamun Square himself, Chong also said, "There are many opinions to remove only the aboveground sculpture and move it to the War Memorial of Korea, so if elected, I will put it up for public discussion."
As for Oh Se-hoon meeting former President Lee Myung-bak that morning, he said, "I will engage this election only by meeting citizens," and added, "I have no plans to meet any particular politician."
To a reporter's question about why he had not answered questions on pending issues before but was answering today, he said, "I have responded to questions on current issues, but the reason I did not do so two days ago was because it was an event to hold a press conference on property tax cuts with 25 district head candidates in attendance." He added, "Please understand that I could not change things on site because prior consultations had been made with others."
He also answered, in regard to reducing the increased property tax burden on retirees, that he would consider a cap for high-priced homes. Chong said, "As to how we will set the cap, after the election, 20 days later, the winners (including each district head) will gather and begin discussions on this part."