Oh Se-hoon, the Seoul mayor, predicted that calls within the People Power Party to change the party line will become more frequent ahead of the June 3 local elections. However, he took a skeptical view of any effect on the election, saying, "It seems a bit late now."
Oh appeared on a news program on the 6th and said, "Party approval ratings vary slightly by poll, but they are about two and a half to one or one-third of the Democratic Party of Korea's," adding, "Given this situation, it's hard to say it will be easy." He said the election is not easy even for himself, who is running his eighth race.
Regarding Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun and others calling on the leadership to shift to an emergency system at the People Power Party's Supreme Council meeting that day, he said, "What happened in Incheon today will happen more and more often going forward."
At the People Power Party Incheon chapter's Supreme Council meeting opening remarks that day, Yoon said, "I ask the leadership to make a decision," and "Candidates want a shift to an emergency system in which the party headquarters pushes innovation, beyond individual interests."
Oh said, "Once nominations are wrapped up to some extent, those who had been lying low because of nomination issues will speak hard truths more often to raise the party's approval rating."
But when asked whether he plans to push harder for party reform, he said, "It seems a bit late now," adding, "Whatever is said at this point is likely to be judged as a gesture timed to the election."
Regarding a resident audit petition tied to Democratic Party of Korea preliminary candidate Chong Won-o's alleged business trip to Mexico, he said, "The Audit Request Review Committee within the Citizens' Audit Ombudsman system will objectively decide whether to launch an audit," adding, "A conclusion is due within 60 days, so it inevitably overlaps with the election period."
He continued, "It's truly an embarrassing situation, but proceeding by principles is the most desirable handling process," adding, "By then, there is a possibility I will be recused from duties."
As for some preliminary candidates in the same party criticizing the Hangang Bus policy, he said, "I think the exact opposite," adding, "Hangang Bus is a policy that will be a 'big hit' going forward." He said, "During the month of March, the number of users rose steeply," adding, "By April, people will almost have to line up to get on."
Oh said, "Most of the policies that the Democratic Party actively opposed were successful," citing Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Sebitseom, Hangang Renaissance, and Sonmok Doctor 9988 as examples.
On the government's real estate policy, he said, "It's a short-term prescription close to shock therapy," adding, "Demand-suppression measures are not sustainable." He continued, "Because there is no vacant land in Seoul, redevelopment and reconstruction supply policies are key," adding, "Policy support such as revitalizing corporate rental housing is needed."
Regarding support measures for the self-employed after the war in the Middle East, he said, "In addition to the existing 2.7 trillion won support plan, we have prepared roughly 300 billion won more."
On public transportation policy, he said, "Through the Climate Companion Card, we have prepared support at about half price so that about 30,000 won a month in transportation costs can be saved."