Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon emphasized on June 24 at the National Assembly's Future Innovation Forum seminar that "sincerity, inclusiveness, and competence are the core values of conservative reconstruction," stating that "politics that earns the trust of the people and wins elections is more important than fighting well." [Photo=Yonhap News]
Following his speech at the Future Innovation Forum seminar, the question-and-answer session with Mayor Oh Se-hoon was equally significant. It provided insights into his views on the essence of politics, the future of conservatism, and the direction the People Power Party should take moving forward.
Oh emphasized the importance of "restrained politics." He reaffirmed his stance that "investigating the truth is more important than demands for a re-election" in light of various controversies and allegations raised during the election process. He stated, "Regardless of the election results, I have maintained the same principles from the beginning," adding that he has tried to convey messages appropriate for his position as mayor.
His assessment of the Lee Jae-myung administration was similarly critical. While he expressed concerns about the current government's expansionary fiscal policies and various policy directions, he drew a line against the opposition's emotional responses.
Oh remarked, "There is no need to respond with extreme expressions," emphasizing that "ultimately, it is important to earn the people's choice in politics."
He summarized his political philosophy by stating, "While a person who fights well may seem appealing during ordinary times, in crucial moments, a person who wins elections is a true asset." This underscores the importance of gaining public trust and the ability to win elections over political rhetoric or aggressive statements. This aligns with his repeated emphasis on being a "competent conservative" throughout the seminar.
Oh's stance on real estate issues was also clear. He reiterated the need for increased supply through reconstruction and redevelopment as a solution to housing policy, advocating for the so-called "supply-first" approach. He explained that most housing supply in Seoul comes from redevelopment projects and called for the easing of government regulations and the normalization of policies for registered rental businesses.
When asked about his defeat in the Busan mayoral election, he expressed some regret, revealing that he had communicated with Mayor Park Hyung-jun before the election, saying, "I wonder how it would have been if we had worked together." However, he chose to refrain from criticizing his opponent or publicly discussing the reasons for the loss.
Oh also took a cautious approach regarding party reform. Amid ongoing debates within the People Power Party about innovation and renewal, he stated, "If we rush too much, it could lead to adverse effects." He emphasized that changes within the party should be centered around the National Assembly, with senior lawmakers playing a significant role.
One of the most notable aspects of the Q&A session was Oh's attitude toward the opposing camp. He mentioned, "Even if our lines differ, I try not to hate people," repeatedly highlighting the values of unity and harmony. He believes that politics should ultimately be a process of resolving conflicts and bringing the people together.
At the end of his speech, he presented a formula for conservative reconstruction: "sincerity, inclusiveness, and competence." Oh emphasized that these three elements are the starting point for regaining the trust of the people.
Oh Se-hoon's political philosophy, as revealed through the June 3 local elections, leaned towards prioritizing policies and achievements over clear ideological confrontations, promoting unity over conflict, and focusing on results rather than loud political rhetoric. His statement about conveying the values of conservatism "with sincerity" reflects this sentiment. The message he aimed to deliver to citizens through this election was not merely about achieving victory but rather about how conservatism can regain trust and what it should look like moving forward.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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