Democratic mayoral candidate Jeong Won-oh and People Power candidate Oh Se-hoon delivered contrasting final messages ahead of the Seoul mayoral election.
The results of the election will serve as a critical barometer for the current national administration and determine the political direction of South Korea's capital.
Jeong Won-oh held a joint press conference with 25 district mayor candidates [1] and a National Assembly joint briefing. During these events, Jeong said he would work as a “team” with the government of President Lee Jae-myung. He said that voting is the only way to ensure the success of the Lee administration [1].
In a separate rally at Yongsan Hyochang Park Station, Oh Se-hoon presented a different vision for the city. Oh said Seoul is the “final bastion” [1] and asked voters to protect his candidacy. He said he would transform Seoul into a global top-three city within four years [1].
Both candidates are framing the contest as a test of national political alignment. While Jeong seeks to synchronize city governance with the presidency, Oh positions himself as a necessary check or stronghold against the current administration's influence. The divergent strategies highlight a deep ideological divide over how Seoul should interact with the central government, either as a partner in national policy or as an independent political center.
““투표만이 이재명 정부의 성공을 완수할 수 있습니다.””
The competition between Jeong and Oh reflects the broader national polarization in South Korea. By tying his campaign to President Lee Jae-myung, Jeong is attempting to nationalize the local election to mobilize the Democratic base. Conversely, Oh's 'final bastion' rhetoric suggests he is appealing to voters who view the city as a last line of defense against the administration's agenda, turning the mayoral seat into a symbol of national political resistance.
