Campaigning by Seoul mayoral candidates from both the ruling and opposition parties also paused after the collapse of the Seosomun overpass.
On the 27th, Democratic Party of Korea Seoul mayoral candidate Chong Won-o and People Power Party Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon are expected to spend the day without official events. It is due to the fallout from the Seosomun overpass collapse that occurred the previous day.
The two candidates are said to be closely watching the accident response while preparing for the TV debate hosted by the National Election Commission scheduled for 11 p.m. on the 28th. This debate is the first multi-candidate debate among Seoul mayoral candidates. It will be held a day before early voting.
Chong has no public schedule today. According to a campaign official, the team plans to keep a close eye on the accident response throughout the day. On debate prep, the team said, "We will review the overall pledges and prepare for the opponent's negative campaigning as we have done so far."
Chong's campaign, in an internal notice immediately after the accident the previous day, conveyed Chong's urgent instruction that "regarding the collapse at the Seosomun overpass demolition site, saving lives and managing the accident come first; prohibit any linkage to campaign activities or attacks on opponents," and that policy remains in place.
Oh also has no official campaign schedule. On-site stump speeches and campaign office commentaries have been suspended. In addition, Oh's side has banned campaign office staff from posting any campaign materials supporting Oh or attacking the opponent. People Power Party city and district council candidates were also asked to refrain from music or choreographed dances during campaigning.
According to a campaign official, around 9 a.m. that day, Oh made an unofficial visit to the Seosomun overpass demolition accident site and met with Minister Kim Yun-duk of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Apart from that, only some previously scheduled policy roundtables, such as a policy meeting with security experts, were held behind closed doors.
Oh's side said, "This event was a policy roundtable, not a campaign event, so it was held, but we conducted it in a solemn atmosphere without applause or microphones."
The two candidates plan to make thorough preparations for the multi-candidate debate just a day away. Trailing in polls, Oh aims to use the debate as a springboard to turn the race around. Chong's side, by contrast, plans to use the debate as a venue to address negative campaigning and various allegations.
An official with Oh's campaign said, "While campaigning is suspended, the campaign will take a closer look at areas we may have missed, such as policies for women and transportation."