According to the National Election Commission, with 97.17 percent of ballots counted as of 9 a.m., Oh was leading with 48.87 percent of the vote, edging out Chung's 48.41 percent by just 23,468 votes.
Speaking at his campaign office in central Seoul after declaring victory, Oh described the outcome as a "victory for ordinary, hardworking citizens."
Chung, a strong contender who had been widely expected to win and was backed by President Lee Jae-myung, conceded defeat.
He said, "I humbly accept the choice of Seoul citizens," adding, "I fell short."
The mayoral race remained too close to call for much of the night. Chung initially held a substantial lead in the early stages of vote counting, but the margin steadily narrowed after midnight as more ballots were tallied.
Oh overtook Chung after more than 93 percent of the votes had been counted and gradually widened his lead overnight, bringing a dramatic late reversal that ended one of the closest mayoral races.
Meanwhile, Oh called for a thorough investigation into ballot shortages reported at about a dozen polling stations in southern Seoul, considered to be a conservative stronghold. A rare logistics failure disrupted voting at least 14 polling stations including Gangnam, Gwangjin and Songpa, where ballot papers ran out, delaying the process and angering voters.
He said, "I humbly accept the choice of Seoul citizens," adding, "I fell short."
The mayoral race remained too close to call for much of the night. Chung initially held a substantial lead in the early stages of vote counting, but the margin steadily narrowed after midnight as more ballots were tallied.
Oh overtook Chung after more than 93 percent of the votes had been counted and gradually widened his lead overnight, bringing a dramatic late reversal that ended one of the closest mayoral races.
Meanwhile, Oh called for a thorough investigation into ballot shortages reported at about a dozen polling stations in southern Seoul, considered to be a conservative stronghold. A rare logistics failure disrupted voting at least 14 polling stations including Gangnam, Gwangjin and Songpa, where ballot papers ran out, delaying the process and angering voters.
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