With the local elections set for June 3, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon will released his official position on the afternoon of the 17th regarding registration for the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral nomination. Attention in political circles is focused on what decision Oh, who has delayed filing for the nomination, will make.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Oh plans to hold a press conference at 3 p.m. that day in the briefing room on the second floor of City Hall to explain his future political schedule, including whether he will register for the nomination. Oh has delayed applying for the nomination while calling on party leadership to pursue party reform and adjust its platform.
In particular, Oh has publicly said that the party must make clear a so-called "cutting ties with Yoon" (severing ties with former President Yoon Suk-yeol) stance and push personnel reforms.
The idea is that the party should reset its direction as a conservative party by distancing itself from past power. He has continued to delay applying for the nomination, saying recently, "I still do not see sufficient signs that the party's line change is moving into the implementation phase."
Also, when visiting the area around Singil Station district in Yeongdeungpo on the morning of the same day, Oh answered related questions from reporters by saying, "I conveyed a few requests to the party, but I have yet to receive a sufficiently satisfactory response. That is the situation for now."
In political circles, there is speculation that Oh is likely to register for the nomination after confirming the party's will to reform. If Oh runs for Seoul mayor for the fourth time as a member of the People Power Party, he is effectively seen as a strong contender within the party.
Oh, however, has made his intention to run clear. He recently said, "I will definitely take part in the election," and added, "I have no intention of running for Seoul mayor as an independent." This is interpreted to mean that, despite internal conflicts, he will ultimately run as the People Power Party's candidate.
Meanwhile, after first being elected Seoul mayor in 2006, Oh resigned midterm in 2011 and returned to the post through a by-election in 2021. If he runs in this election, it will be his fourth bid for Seoul mayor.