Seoul Mayor Oh Se-Hoon has opted out of attending a key public office inauguration on June 8 following the ruling party’s defeat in the June 3 by-election. The loss saw the opposition candidate triumph in the Seoul mayoral race, prompting the mayor to prioritize adjustments for the upcoming election slate.
Focus on Candidate Realignment
Administration officials confirm that Mayor Oh remained focused on securing a stronger contender aligned with President Yoon Suk Yeol’s party recommendations. Despite the inauguration’s importance, he skipped all public engagements until 6 p.m. on June 8. Staff from the Seoul Mayor’s office extended congratulatory messages to the new appointee, signaling continued operations amid the shift.
Potential successors under consideration include former presidential chief of staff Yoon Hui-seok and Seoul Seongbuk District Mayor Lee Sang-gyu, both viewed as capable of leading public events in the mayor’s stead.
Aide Reveals Mayor’s Stance
A close associate to Mayor Oh disclosed his recent comments from June 7: “There are individuals ready to support the candidate selection for the next election, elevating standards to ensure victory.” The aide added, “His position remains unchanged; he awaits the party’s leadership response.”
Direct Statement from Mayor Oh
In a recent Facebook post, Mayor Oh emphasized: “Pushing forward a candidate lacking proper support and experience for the next election defies logic.” He further noted, “Steering clear of public events allows us to consolidate the party’s dispersed energies into a unified front.”
The ruling party has scheduled an executive chief meeting for the afternoon of June 9 to deliberate on strategies addressing the candidate overhaul.
