Oh Se-hoon, the Seoul mayor, said of Chong Won-o, the Seongdong District chief who is being mentioned as the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor ahead of the June 3 local elections next year, that he "shows a stance that sets him apart from other (Seoul mayoral) contenders."
Oh, at a briefing with the travel press corps held on the 7th (local time) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, criticized the Democratic Party of Korea candidates' negative attacks and made the remarks.
Oh first cited the Han River bus as an example. He said, "When I look at the Democratic Party of Korea candidates, who fail to understand at all the positive impact it will have on Seoul's urban competitiveness and quality of life and obsess excessively over early trial-and-error while focusing solely on criticism, I feel there are limits to their insight."
He then said, "What is at least fortunate is that Chong Won-o, the Seongdong District chief who has begun to stand out in recent Democratic Party of Korea polls, has shown a slightly different view," adding, "I have seen comments along the lines that the Han River bus looks like a project that will succeed over time anyway, and that rather than focusing on excessive criticism of early trial-and-error, we need to watch it for a bit."
Oh also said, "Citizens all know that I have had a very deep interest in balanced development between Gangnam and Gangbuk and have implemented various policies," adding, "Watching some of those being mentioned as Democratic Party of Korea candidates make comments that are illogical and out of the blue to the point that it feels like they have been almost clueless about Seoul city administration, I think citizens have already made up their minds."
He also said he would focus on balanced development between Gangnam and Gangbuk during the remainder of his term. Oh said, "We will continue to review a project to invest about 3 trillion won to put the Inner Ring Road, which suffers from chronic congestion, underground as a six-lane, two-way road."
Oh emphasized a strategy to strengthen urban competitiveness as the most essential capability for the next Seoul mayor.
Oh said, "The capitals of each country are now truly entering a fiercely competitive state for urban competitiveness," adding, "In this era of unlimited competition, whether the ruling and opposition party candidates running in next year's election can compete on such visions will be the biggest concern for Seoul citizens, and I think it must be."
He went on, "I believe the city of Seoul has risen to the ranks of competitiveness where it can rival cities like New York, London and Paris," adding, "I hope the results of doing our utmost to make that happen are now reflected in figures and rankings and will be fairly judged by Seoul citizens."
Regarding the People Power Party's push to raise the proportion of party member votes reflected in the local election primary from the current 50% to 70%, Oh said, "It is moving in a direction that values party sentiment over public sentiment." However, he added, "Since you are frequently writing columns or commentaries saying that 70% party sentiment and 30% public sentiment is the wrong path, the path to certain defeat in local elections, I will refrain as much as possible from making specific remarks on that part as a player."
Asked whether, if he wins the primary, he would seek a suspension of trial on grounds of a "fair trial," Oh said, "I have not yet received the indictment, so it is difficult to answer on that point." On the 1st, the special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki indicted Oh on charges of commissioning a public opinion poll from "political broker" Myung Tae-gyun and having the expense paid on his behalf.