Oh Se-hoon, the Seoul mayor, on the 21st called Democratic Party of Korea Seoul mayoral candidate Chong Won-o's stance on the long-term holding special deduction (Jangteukgong) "a lie that deceives citizens" and said he "should not become the president's bodyguard."
Oh wrote on social media (SNS) the same day in a post titled "Candidate Chong Won-o, do not hide behind," saying, "Candidate Chong Won-o said the abolition of Jangteukgong is 'not an issue under discussion' and claimed I am provoking conflict."
Oh has repeatedly urged Chong to state a position on President Lee Jae-myung mentioning a phased abolition of Jangteukgong on X (formerly Twitter) on the 18th.
In response, Chong visited Bongha Village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang, that day, paid respects at the grave of former President Roh Moo-hyun, and told reporters, "Continuously raising an issue that is not yet under discussion only provokes conflict. The Seoul mayor's job is not to provoke conflict but to join forces for people's livelihoods and the interests of citizens."
Oh said, "A lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea has introduced a bill, and the president made a clear statement on SNS. Does it make sense to say it is not under discussion?" He added, "What is actually stoking conflict and causing citizens' anxiety is President Lee Jae-myung, who, without any public discussion, lit a fire on SNS for abolishing Jangteukgong."
He continued, "A president who, day after day, engages in SNS politics and previews half-baked policies and regulation and tax bombs is precisely the 'conflict instigator' Chong refers to," adding, "Amid the Middle East war crisis, citizens are suffering over bread-and-butter issues, and a president vowing heavy taxation is making citizens extremely anxious."
Oh also said, "Chong remains silent before a troublemaker president while effectively muzzling the voices of citizens concerned about abolishing Jangteukgong," adding, "Someone seeking to become Seoul mayor should stand with citizens and speak forthrightly, not become the president's bodyguard."
He went on, "If you disagree with the president's push to abolish Jangteukgong, you should first offer forthright advice and tell the president to show restraint," adding, "It is shameful to be so conscious of the president's gaze that you cannot properly speak from citizens' standpoint."