Chong Won-o, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, and Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, held their final rallies on the afternoon of the 2nd at Cheonggye Plaza and in Sinchon, respectively. They then toured various parts of Seoul to make a last-ditch appeal to voters.
Chong began his final rally around 8 p.m. on the 2nd at Cheonggye Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul. Kicking off with a support speech by party leader Jung Chung-rae, Chong said at the final rally, "Candidate Oh Se-hoon promised to supply 360,000 dwellings within five years to resolve the housing crunch, but in reality supplied only an annual average of 39,000," adding, "A candidate who did not keep promises must be replaced."
Chong said, "We turned Seongsu-dong, an old factory zone, into a world-class hot place, and nearly doubled Seongsu-dong's corporations compared with 10 years ago, creating jobs and revitalizing the Seongdong economy," adding, "With proven ability, I will revive Seoul's economy."
Chong stressed that he should become Seoul mayor to back President Lee Jae-myung's governance. He said, "President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating is ranking between first and third among OECD countries worldwide," adding, "The term of the Seoul mayor elected this time aligns exactly with the president's remaining term. Do you want a mayor who will block everything at every turn and fight for four years, or a partner who will work in sync and get things done?"
Oh Se-hoon held his final rally around 7 p.m. at Sinchon Station. Introduced by Bae Hyun-jin, chair of the People Power Party's Seoul chapter, Oh took the stage and began his speech by introducing the Citizens' Accompaniment election committee.
Explaining why he chose Sinchon for his final rally, Oh said, "A society where young people have lost their dreams has a bleak future." He said, "Five years ago I promised to build a Seoul that walks alongside the underprivileged," adding, "The ladder of social mobility has now begun to be restored. Please wait just four more years."
Oh sharply criticized the Lee Jae-myung administration's real estate policy. Oh said, "Looking at the president's words and actions these days, he is losing humility and becoming arrogant," adding, "People soon have to move, but there's no way to find a jeonse, and wolse is soaring to the skies. I will become Seoul mayor and make the president reflect and apologize."
Even after finishing their final rallies, Chong and Oh did not end their schedules, visiting various parts of Seoul to meet citizens. After 9 p.m. they could not use microphones, but they gave speeches in their natural voices or listened to citizens.
Chong toured the food alley in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, and the Cheonho Rodeo Street in Gangdong-gu. For his final on-site visits, he went to the Songpa Public Bus Garage and Bokjeong Station transfer center in Songpa-gu. A Chong Won-o campaign official said, "It's to encourage bus drivers and on-site personnel who ensure citizens get home safely late at night, and to underscore our commitment to safety and mobility rights for nighttime workers and citizens."
Chong will wrap up his official campaign by boarding the late-night N37 bus at the Bokjeong Station transfer center and heading to Suseo Station. Chong said, "Just as Seoul's late-night N37 bus connects night and dawn to guard citizens' days, Chong Won-o will link citizens' today with Seoul's tomorrow," adding, "I want to support the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration from Seoul."
After visiting the Garden of Gratitude in Gwanghwamun, Oh met citizens around Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Jung-gu, Seoul. At the Garden of Gratitude, Oh said, "The Republic of Korea is a success story that serves as a model for all countries in the free camp," adding, "I think it won't be long before this becomes a space that conveys to people around the world how meaningful freedom and democracy are."
Oh concluded his campaigning by meeting merchants and citizens at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Reflecting on wrapping up the campaign, Oh said, "Tomorrow's choice will determine the fate of the Republic of Korea and its capital, Seoul, for the next four years," adding, "We stand at a crossroads over whether Seoul can become a warmer, healthier 'special city of quality of life' or regress, and whether the Republic of Korea will race down the path of dictatorship or whether democracy will be firmly upheld."
Oh said, "During the campaign, when students approached and asked us to build a country where they can have hope, I felt very ashamed and sorry," adding, "I will faithfully reflect what I learned during this campaign over the next four years and work even harder to build an inclusive Seoul, a Seoul that walks with the underprivileged."