On the 2nd, a day before the June 3 local elections, People Power Party Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon sharpened his attack on rival candidate Chong Won-o of the Democratic Party of Korea, saying the rival "fears scrutiny" and urging that a "candidate who is unprepared should withdraw even now."
Starting his canvassing in southwest Seoul that day, Oh greeted commuters in Yeongdeungpo District and then moved to Yongsan District for a press roundtable.
At the event, Oh said Chong lacks the qualities to serve as Seoul mayor. Oh said, "Every morning, the mayor's desk sees weighty tasks directly tied to the lives of 10 million citizens—dwellings, transportation, the economy, welfare, culture, and even safety," adding, "We cannot entrust Seoul's fate to a candidate who cannot properly explain even their own policies and who first gauges the mood of those in power rather than the citizens."
Oh added, "At the decisive golden time when Seoul must move forward as a global city, we need someone tempered by overcoming countless crises, someone who can work the very next day after the election, a seasoned veteran."
Oh said, "Debate is a chance to clearly show each candidate's vision for Seoul," adding, "By kicking away the opportunity to debate, (Chong) completely failed, in my assessment, to convey the mindset and goals for the campaign that he had or could have shared with the public, as well as his vision for Seoul."
He went on, "Seoul is an ultra-megacity that presents multiple challenges even for someone with ample experience to manage, and if one steps forward to manage this place, one must never avoid scrutiny," adding, "Only by creating a forum for scrutiny oneself does one finally earn the qualification to save this city."
Oh criticized, "From that perspective, Chong is a novice driver who is far too unprepared," adding, "We cannot turn Seoul into a practice course for a novice driver."
He also said, "Labeling everything as negative just because the media or an opponent raises issues unfavorable to oneself shows a fear of scrutiny," adding, "Chong, who is unprepared, should step down even now."