Oh Se-hoon, the Seoul mayor, on the 15th aimed at Democratic Party of Korea Seoul mayoral candidate Chong Won-o, saying, "You need to present a way to make a G2 city by whatever means," and, "The mayor's office is not a place for a popularity contest."
On social media that day, in a post titled "A Seoul mayor must prepare for the future with a pioneer's spirit," Oh said, "As candidate Chong Won-o said, is a 'mayor who does only what citizens want' a good mayor?"
Oh said, "Tending to citizens' daily lives and solving what is needed right now are the most basic duties, naturally expected of a Seoul mayor," adding, "The work of meticulously protecting citizens' daily lives has never left my hands for 24 hours. Administration that looks after even the unseen corners of transportation, welfare, safety, and living infrastructure is not a choice but a basic duty."
He continued, "Is that where the role of the Seoul mayor ends? With a 'demand-responsive mayor' who only handles complaints right in front of us, we cannot lift Seoul another step in a rapidly changing era and in global competition," adding, "If you chase only what citizens want today, you end up missing the changes that will be absolutely necessary tomorrow."
Oh also said, "What is needed is 'pioneer leadership' that opens the way a step ahead, even if it means bearing criticism," adding, "It may feel unfamiliar at first and meet opposition, but over time it becomes the city's competitiveness."
He went on, "Candidate Chong Won-o said he would 'make a G2 city.' Anyone can say nice things," adding, "But if the policy line clings only to immediate demands, how on earth will you make a G2 city?"
Aimed at the candidate, Oh said, "You must first present concrete methods for which industries to grow, what infrastructure to build, and how to ease which regulations," adding, "With complaint-driven administration without vision, a city can never leap forward."
He added, "The mayor's office is not a place for a popularity contest. It is a place to design the city's future," saying, "Seoul must not be a follower city, but a city that leads."