Seoul mayoral candidate Jeong Won-oh is facing renewed scrutiny over an assault conviction from 31 years ago [1].

The controversy threatens Jeong's political standing as the opposition party uses the old case to question his character and fitness for office.

The People Power Party released a voice recording from the alleged victim to bring the incident back into the public eye. In the recording, the victim said that an argument occurred regarding the May 18 Gwangju Uprising, which led to the assault [1].

Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party challenged the candidate regarding the nature of the incident. Joo asked if the assault was linked to demands for prostitution and whether the act trampled on public authority [1].

Jeong apologized to the victim but maintains that the specific allegations currently being circulated are false. He said the claims are fabricated and manipulative [1].

The dispute centers on a legal conviction that occurred approximately 31 years ago [1], a timeframe that the opposition is leveraging to create a narrative of historical misconduct. While Jeong has offered an apology, he continues to fight the framing of the event as a tool of political sabotage [1].

This clash comes amid a wider political landscape involving other key figures, including Yoo Seung-min and Oh Se-hoon, as the race for the Seoul mayoralty intensifies [1].

“The controversy threatens Jeong's political standing as the opposition party uses the old case to question his character.”

The resurfacing of a three-decade-old conviction highlights the aggressive nature of the Seoul mayoral race, where historical conduct is used as a primary weapon for character assassination. By releasing audio evidence, the People Power Party aims to undermine Jeong's credibility with voters, forcing the candidate to balance a public apology with a defense against what he labels as political fabrication.