Seoul mayoral candidates Jung Won-oh and Oh Se-hoon suspended their election campaigns Tuesday to visit the site of the Seosomun overpass collapse [1].
The sudden halt in political activity underscores the severity of the infrastructure failure in a densely populated area of the capital. Both candidates sought to prioritize emergency response and victim support over political gain during the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
The collapse occurred at the Seosomun overpass in Seodaemun District [1]. Following the news of the incident, both candidates ceased their scheduled campaign activities to travel to the scene and assess the situation [2]. Reports indicate they arrived at the site around 4:20 p.m. [3].
Jung Won-oh, the candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed his condolences during the visit. "I pray for the repose of the victims and the speedy recovery of the injured," Jung said [4].
While the cause of the collapse remains under investigation, Jung indicated that it is too early to assign blame. When asked about the responsibility of Oh Se-hoon, Jung said that responsibility cannot be predicted at this time [5].
Both candidates focused their presence on minimizing further damage and offering support to the bereaved families, and injured parties [2]. Jung emphasized the urgency of the crisis, stating, "At this moment, my only earnest wish is that the damage be minimized" [6].
The joint decision to pause campaigning is a rare moment of bipartisan cooperation amid a heated mayoral race. The candidates remained on-site to coordinate with emergency services and local officials to ensure a swift response to the structural failure.
“I pray for the repose of the victims and the speedy recovery of the injured.”
The decision by both leading candidates to halt campaigning suggests that the Seosomun collapse is being treated as a major civic crisis rather than a political opportunity. Because infrastructure safety is a central pillar of municipal governance, the eventual findings of the investigation into the bridge failure will likely become a focal point of the mayoral race, potentially impacting voter perceptions of urban management and safety oversight.
