As the June 3 Seoul mayoral election approaches, a fierce exchange of negative campaigning is intensifying between Democratic Party candidate Jung Won-oh and People Power Party candidate Oh Se-hoon. With polls showing a tight race, both candidates and their parties are ramping up efforts to sway voters in the final days of the campaign.
Lee In-young, the head of Jung's campaign committee, held a press conference on May 31 at the National Assembly, asserting, "Oh is not free from severe criticism for his negligence and incompetence regarding safety issues over the past decade, including the Itaewon tragedy and the Seosomun overpass collapse."
Democratic Party spokesperson Kang Jun-hyun pointed to Oh's recent remark during a televised debate, where he questioned, "What good would it do for me to go to Samseong Station right now?" Kang criticized this as an admission of failure in safety management and a blatant declaration of evasion of responsibility.
In response, the opposition has focused on Jung's moral integrity. People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk held a press conference that day, directly attacking Jung by stating, "President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party have pushed through bad laws using their overwhelming majority and have put forth a candidate who is unqualified and disrespectful to the May 18 movement."
Jang also criticized the president for hosting a fish party at Jagalchi Market on the day of the Seosomun overpass collapse, claiming that upon returning to the Blue House, he immediately directed a search of Seoul City Hall, suggesting that the president was personally involved in undermining Oh.
The level of criticism between the candidates is escalating. Oh Se-hoon labeled Jung as a "puppet of the president" during a press conference at his campaign office in Gwancheol-dong, arguing that Jung would not be able to oppose any misguided policies from President Yoon Suk-yeol. He emphasized, "What Seoul needs now is not a puppet but a guardian of citizens' rights."
In turn, Jung responded, stating, "Oh has been silent during President Yoon's tyranny. Claiming he will express his opinions in front of President Lee Jae-myung is nothing short of a declaration of political conflict."
The number of legal complaints related to the mayoral election has also surged into double digits, with 13 cases reported as of the previous day. Of these, 10 were filed by Jung's campaign and the Democratic Party. Jung's team accused Oh's campaign of manipulating public opinion and filed complaints for obstruction of business and violations of election laws. Oh's camp has denied these allegations.
Mutual accusations regarding past assault allegations against Jung have also emerged. The Democratic Party filed complaints against People Power Party lawmakers Joo Jin-woo and Kim Jae-seop for violations of election laws, while the People Power Party countered by filing charges of false accusations against Democratic lawmakers Seo Young-kyo and Lee Joo-hee.
The escalating conflict in the Seoul mayoral race is attributed to the close competition between the two candidates, with recent polls indicating they are neck and neck or tied within the margin of error.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.