Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, stated accordingly in an interview with ChosunBiz on the 25th regarding the fact that there will be only one TV debate among the Seoul mayoral candidates. The TV debate will be held at 11 p.m. on the 28th.
Oh said, "A TV debate in the Seoul mayoral election is not optional but an obligation to the public," adding, "If a candidate says they will take responsibility for the lives of 10 million residents, they should stand before the public and be confidently vetted on housing, transportation, safety, welfare, finances, and urban competitiveness."
Aiming at Democratic Party of Korea candidate Chong Won-o, Oh said, "Even though I said I would leave the debate format and topics entirely up to Chong, they are persistently avoiding the debate," adding, "I think it is because they are not confident about their vision for all of Seoul and the completeness of their policies."
On the outlook for the Seoul mayoral race, he said, "It is clearly a tough election." However, he added, "Judging by the recent trend, it seems residents have begun to look again at 'who can do better' and 'who can protect the lives and rights of Seoul residents.'" As the reason for the rebound in support, he cited "voters' desire to keep in check the unilateral dominance of the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party."
On Seoul's real estate issues, Oh sharply criticized the current administration's policy stance. He said, "On housing in Seoul, the current administration is blocking supply while suppressing the market with taxes and loan regulations, which is a wrong approach," adding, "For those who own homes, it is a property tax hell; for those without homes, a jeonwolse hell; for those trying to sell, a capital gains tax hell; and for those trying to buy, a loan hell—this 'real estate hell across Seoul' has become a reality."
As a solution to Seoul's housing problem, Oh proposed expanding supply. He said, "Seoul's housing problem starts with a lack of supply," adding, "In the ninth popularly elected term, through Rapid Integrated Planning 2.0, we will move quickly as planned to break ground on 310,000 units by 2031." He continued, "Breaking ground on 310,000 units is not just a slogan like someone else's; it is a practical plan that is already on the verge of execution," adding, "As long as the Lee Jae-myung administration does not erect massive barriers with real estate policy, we can achieve it." The following is a Q&A with Oh.
─ This is an election held after the martial law crisis. How do you assess the current race?
"It is clearly a tough election. After the martial law crisis, the entire conservative camp let the public down greatly, and I, too, feel the weight heavily. However, judging by the recent trend, it seems residents have begun to look again at 'who can do better' and 'who can protect the lives and rights of Seoul residents.' I think trust and competence are key."
─ What do you see as the main driver of the rebound in support?
"It is voters' desire to keep in check the unilateral dominance of the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party. Public anger and concern over misguided real estate policies and the cancellation of the president's indictment are greater than ever. The Seoul mayor is not a position that simply follows the president's orders but one that protects the rights and interests of 10 million residents. I think residents are reassessing that point."
─ The TV debate has not yet been held.
"I have said multiple times that I am ready to debate anytime. Whether a two-way debate or a policy debate by topic, if it is a public vetting format, there is no reason to avoid it. This election should not be about negativity but about competing over who is better prepared and has stronger execution capabilities for Seoul's future.
I think the reason Chong Won-o's camp is lukewarm about the debate is ultimately because they lack confidence in their vision and the completeness of their policies for all of Seoul. Even though I said I would leave the debate format or topics entirely up to Chong, they are persistently avoiding the debate. In the election to choose the head of the capital, Seoul, it is shameful and an affront to the public that there will be only one debate between the candidates, and that it will be held at 11 p.m. on the eve of early voting."
─ The Democratic Party criticizes the recently completed "Garden of Gratitude" sculpture at Gwanghwamun Square as evoking a "militarist" image.
"The Garden of Gratitude is a space of thanks and remembrance for the 22 countries that shed blood together to defend the Republic of Korea's freedom during the Korean War. Driving this as a militarist image is excessive political offensiveness and ideological thinking.
Gwanghwamun Square is where Korea's history and future meet. Erecting a symbol there of the memory of defending freedom, the pride in a Republic of Korea that prospered from a nation receiving help to a nation giving help, and solidarity with the world elevates Seoul's dignity."
─ What is the core of Seoul's real estate measures?
"'Shut up and supply,' in short, 'Dakgong.' I released that I would designate 85 zones with 85,000 units that can break ground within three years as 'core strategic renewal zones' and manage them intensively. In addition, we will move up groundbreaking by up to one year in 62 zones, and adjust some of the volume slated for after 2029 so that groundbreaking can take place by 2028."
─ If reelected, what pledge would you pursue first?
"Rapid and abundant housing supply, and balanced development between Gangnam and the north. We need to raise the residential, transportation, jobs, and cultural infrastructure in the north and the southwest so the pressure across Seoul is dispersed and home prices and the jeonwolse market can stabilize."
─ Among your projects last term, which do you find most rewarding?
"Through Rapid Integrated Planning, I am proud to have sprouted the seeds of housing supply and to have raised urban competitiveness from eighth to sixth. Above all, I find great reward in resident-centered policies like Seoul Learn, the Climate Companion Card, and Wrist Doctor 9988.
In particular, Seoul Learn is a policy that lays a ladder of social mobility for children from difficult backgrounds. It started from the belief that parents' financial means should not determine a child's future. The Climate Companion Card has taken root as a transportation welfare model that reduces residents' transportation costs, and Wrist Doctor 9988 has established itself as a daily-life policy that gets residents to walk on their own and take care of their health."
─ When you declared your candidacy, you said you would "lead party innovation." How will you pursue both city governance and party innovation?
"If I win this election, that itself will be a powerful message that this is the path conservatives must take and the way the party should innovate. I have consistently said we must sever ties with the wrong past and expand to the center.
For the People Power Party to regain public trust, it must show with competence, not words. In Seoul, we will tangibly change residents' lives and present a model of a capable conservatism that the center and the young can recognize."