Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, held his first official news conference on the 28th after the collapse accident at the Seosomun overpass demolition site.
At the event, Oh said, "If even Oh Se-hoon falls in Seoul, it means the existence of an opposition party that speaks rightly on behalf of citizens is completely erased," expressing his will to win.
At 2 p.m. that day, Oh held a press briefing at his campaign office in Gwancheol-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, where he announced his position on the Seosomun overpass collapse and took questions on election issues.
Appearing in public for the first time since suspending official campaigning, Oh said, "I cannot help but address the heartbreaking accident that occurred during the demolition of the Seosomun overpass," adding, "I pray for the souls of those who died in the unexpected accident, and I bow my head to offer deep condolences to the bereaved families who are in great sorrow."
He went on, "All this time I have sincerely placed the highest priority in city governance on safety," adding, "Pushing through to achieve 100% CCTV installation at public construction sites across Seoul was driven by the urgency to reduce accidents and ease citizens' anxiety."
He also said, "Through this incident, I keenly realized once again how much we still fall short," adding, "We will scrutinize even more tenaciously for gaps and blind spots so as not to miss even the smallest warning sign at worksites."
At the event, Oh also stressed the need to check the opposition and rebuild conservatism, signaling his intent to campaign through the end.
Oh said, "If even Oh Se-hoon falls in Seoul, it means the very existence of an opposition party that speaks rightly on behalf of citizens is completely erased," adding, "If we even yield Seoul, the minimal foundation to revive a rational and healthy conservatism in this land will vanish."
He continued, "I will bow in the humblest posture, yet with a firmer sense of responsibility, break through the wind and rain before citizens, and move Seoul forward," adding, "For the remaining period, I plan to run to the end with the mindset of a challenger."
On whether to resume campaigning, Oh said, "I think it is premature to speak of resuming the campaign when the funeral has not yet taken place," but added, "This election has many policy issues that determine the quality of life for Seoul citizens, and it is true that it is difficult to push them back in priority, so we will decide our course after the debate."
Oh is scheduled to attend the National Election Commission-hosted "Seoul mayoral candidates invitational debate" at 11 p.m. that day.
In addition to Oh, the debate will feature Chong Won-o, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Seoul mayor; Kwon Young-guk of the Justice Party; and Kim Jeong-cheol of the Reform Party. It will be the first and last in-person debate joined by the ruling and opposition Seoul mayoral candidates.