Chong Won-o, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Seoul mayor, said in an interview with ChosunBiz on the 31st, "I will work without drawing lines between conservative and progressive, thinking only about whether it helps citizens' lives," adding, "This is exactly 'Chong Won-o-style pragmatism.'"
The candidate also stressed on real estate policy, "I will first break the outdated frame that says 'if the mayor is from the Democratic Party, redevelopment and reconstruction won't happen.' Over 12 years as Seongdong District head, I actively cooperated with necessary development and resolved bottlenecks by proposing solutions to Seoul City first," adding, "I am confident I can push redevelopment and reconstruction more safely and faster than Oh Se-hoon."
Labeling the other side's dredging up of past incidents as a "negative offensive," the candidate said, "Instead of negativity that drags the opponent down and exhausts voters, I will fight only the inconveniences citizens face and do my best to the end with policy and competence."
The following is a Q&A with the candidate.
- You are running for Seoul mayor after three terms as Seongdong District head. What is the public sentiment in Seoul from the field?
"Regardless of region, every citizen I meet wants a competent local government and a Seoul mayor who gets things done. Lately, I've felt expectations have grown greatly for the efficacy that administration can actually change real lives. Seeing the central government's change and speed, people have begun to expect that Seoul can change as well. I feel that judging the past 10 years of showcase administration is the biggest current in this election."
- What is your assessment of candidate Oh Se-hoon, who has led the city administration?
"Because Oh Se-hoon pushed only what he wanted to do as mayor, many citizens said their taxes were being wasted. Elections are also a process of letting those who did a good job keep working, and if not, giving a chance to someone who will do better. Since my time as Seongdong District head, I have created changes citizens can feel through day-to-day, close-to-life administration."
- You pledged to cut property taxes for single-home owners with no income. Tax cut is a topic with pros and cons even within the Democratic Party of Korea. What led you to make this pledge?
"Amid high oil prices from the Middle East and rising inflation increasing citizens' burdens, if property taxes also rise due to higher officially assessed values, it is bound to be a heavy burden for low-income elderly retirees. Against this backdrop, we decided to pursue a temporary reduction of the increased portion of property tax caused by this year's hike in official appraisal values. Not for multi-home owners with clear speculative intent, but focusing on the retired generation living in the single home they have kept all their lives, we will temporarily ease the property tax increase caused by this year's appraisal rise and partially freeze the suddenly increased burden at last year's level.
This is exactly "Chong Won-o-style pragmatism," and I will work without drawing lines between conservative and progressive, thinking only about whether it helps citizens' lives. The Seoul mayor's office is not a place to cling to ideology, but a place to reduce citizens' inconveniences and solve problems."
- Emphasizing redevelopment and reconstruction is also a difference from past Democratic Party of Korea mayors of Seoul.
"I will first break the outdated frame that says 'if the mayor is from the Democratic Party, redevelopment and reconstruction won't happen.' Over 12 years as Seongdong District head, I actively cooperated with necessary development and resolved bottlenecks by proposing solutions to Seoul City first. I have continued to communicate with association heads and know well where bottlenecks occur. I will dispatch the mayor's office–affiliated specialist managers for maintenance projects to each zone to untangle on-site bottlenecks one by one—such as disputes over construction costs, licensing delays, and project feasibility. I am confident I can push redevelopment and reconstruction more safely and faster with step-by-step development than Oh Se-hoon."
- The reduction of the long-term holding special deduction has become an issue. What is your view?
"My position on the long-term holding special deduction is firm. Except where speculative intent is clear, the rights of single-home owners per household must be protected. In particular, the rights of single-home owners who actually live in their homes must be guaranteed 100%, and even for non-occupying holders, we need to broaden protections case by case to prevent unfair harm.
I am firmly opposed to using taxes as a means to control home prices, and the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party of Korea think the same. However, even if the government's policy direction is broadly right, 'shadows' inevitably arise in the process of field application. As the head of a local government, I will communicate with the government to supplement these shortcomings and focus my capabilities on upholding the grand principles of protecting end-users and stabilizing the market."
- How do you plan to communicate with the Lee Jae-myung administration?
"As the Seoul mayor represents 10 million citizens, I will cooperate closely where cooperation serves citizens' interests and clearly voice opinions where needed. Rather than repeatedly creating unnecessary tensions and political distancing with the central government as now, I think it is far more important to move in step and resolve issues swiftly where citizens' lives are at stake. I will actively use the right to attend Cabinet meetings to directly convey and coordinate Seoul's pending issues."
- The Oh Se-hoon camp keeps attacking past incidents.
"I express deep regret over candidate Oh's attitude of sticking to baseless negative offensives from start to finish. Making the race murky with groundless suspicions and distortions of fact only hinders citizens' sound judgment and fuels political distrust—it is a classic old-school politics. Instead of negativity that drags the opponent down and exhausts voters, I will fight only the inconveniences citizens face and do my best to the end with policy and competence."
- With only a few days left before voting, what do you want to say to Seoul citizens?
"It is time for Seoul's administration to change. Citizens want administration that actually solves the inconveniences in their lives—like housing, transportation, safety, and care—rather than showcase administration and showy projects. I will now expand the proven efficacy-focused administration from Seongdong to the entire city of Seoul. I will be a Seoul mayor who works well and fights citizens' inconveniences to the end."
☞ Who is Chong Won-o
Born in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, he graduated from Hwayang Middle School in Yeosu and Yeosu High School, and studied economics at the University of Seoul. He served as vice president of the student council at the University of Seoul and threw himself into the student movement. He entered politics as a secretary to Yang Jae-ho, head of Yangcheon District, who was elected in the first local elections, and later served as an aide to former lawmaker Lim Jong-seok. In the 6th local elections in 2014, he was elected Seongdong District head and went on to win three terms.