Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Says Ruling Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok Must Make a Decision Ahead of Local Elections

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon (Seoul Metropolitan Government)

Oh Se-hoon, the mayor of Seoul, said it was “time for a decision” for Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, publicly raising questions about Jang’s responsibility as the party’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest level ahead of the June 3 local elections.

Oh, the People Power Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor, made the remarks on April 24 during an appearance on the TV Chosun YouTube channel. He said candidates campaigning in the field “honestly feel that it would be better if Chairman Jang were less visible,” adding that they believe that would help the campaign.

“Oh, now is the time when restraint or a decision is needed,” Oh said. “Since we’ve hit the lowest approval rating since the party was founded, at this point it would actually help the election if the leader felt responsible and reduced the scope of his activities.”

Oh also criticized Jang’s remarks about replacing candidates if they engage in conduct harmful to the party. Speaking on TV Chosun’s News 9 the previous day, Oh said he could not agree after hearing comments that, with about 40 days left until the election, sounded like an intention to fight with the candidates.

Jang rejected calls to step down. He said April 24 that resigning as party leader because the situation is bad “is not what a responsible politician does,” and said he would be judged after the local elections conclude.

* This article has been translated by AI.

AJP