DPK launches early bid to regain Seoul mayoral seat

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is mounting an early campaign to recapture the Seoul mayoral office in next June’s local elections, viewing the capital as a key litmus test for the Lee Jae Myung administration at the ballot box. DPK lawmakers Park Ju-min and Seo Young-kyo have already declared their bids, while senior party member Jeon Hyun-heui is widely expected to join the race soon. The party has already gone on the offensive against incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who is seeking a fifth term. Park, chair of the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee, said that Seoul “needs a mayor who works for ordinary citizens, not for political self-interest.” Seo accused Oh’s Han River bus project of being “a vanity project that wasted taxpayer money.” He was referring to the mayor’s Seoul river ferry project, which was suspended just 10 days after its launch due to a series of mechanical failures. Jeon also criticized Oh’s leadership, describing the project as “a symbol of showmanship and failed governance.” Other potential contenders include Reps. Park HongWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times