As the June 3 local elections approach, Jung Won-oh of the Democratic Party and Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party have exchanged sharp criticisms of each other.
Jung's camp claimed that Oh's decade-long tenure as mayor has been marked by incompetence, irresponsibility, and wartime administration. They attributed recent issues, such as the omission of rebar at the GTX Samsung Station and the Seosomun overpass accident, to Oh's alleged negligence regarding safety. They also pointed to the recent housing crisis as a consequence of inadequate housing supply during Oh's time in office.
In response to Oh's campaign statement urging voters to preserve Seoul as a final bastion of government checks and balances, Jung's team accused him of cowardice, saying, "It shows a willingness to save only himself even if his fellow opposition candidates fail."
They labeled Oh as a "tax-eating hippo," citing the city's plan to cover a 13.5 billion won deficit for the Han River Bus operation with taxpayer money over two years. Jung's camp questioned whether taxpayer funds should be used to support Oh's stubbornness and wartime administration.
During a campaign event in Yeouido, Jung urged voters to replace the "incompetent and irresponsible" Oh Se-hoon and establish new leadership. He appealed for votes to create a safer, more convenient, and happier Seoul.
Oh, in a press conference held in front of Hyochang Park, criticized Jung as an unqualified candidate. He stated that only by creating a platform for self-verification can one be deemed fit to lead Seoul, directly addressing Jung's refusal to participate in a one-on-one debate.
Oh also criticized Jung for failing to provide clear explanations regarding allegations of favoritism in the Jupok and Haengdang-dong Baby Goods Store and hiring irregularities related to Cancun trips. He remarked, "Labeling unfavorable media coverage or comments from opponents as negative campaigning shows a fear of self-verification."
Oh asserted that Jung is unprepared to take responsibility for a city that the world wants to visit and that citizens admire for its lifestyle. He emphasized, "We cannot turn Seoul into a practice course for a novice driver," intensifying his criticism by declaring Jung unqualified and unprepared.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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