Rivals Step Up Attacks on ‘Front-Runner’ Chong Won-o, While All Criticize Oh Se-hoon [June 3 Local Elections Begin]

According to Financial News, the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) launched its Seoul mayoral preliminary primary in earnest on the 19th with the first televised debate. During the debate, the four other contenders repeatedly went on the offensive against Chong Won-o, who currently leads in opinion polls. The candidates also took turns criticizing incumbent Seoul mayor Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party (PPP).
Preliminary candidate Park Joo-min addressed fellow contender Jeon Hyun-hee, whose constituency includes Seongdong District, saying, "In his campaign announcement, Chong said he had enabled merchants and artists who had been pushed out by rising rents to stay on stably. Could you describe the gentrification situation in Seongdong District?" He noted that gentrification refers to a phenomenon in which original residents are driven to the outskirts by rising rents.
Jeon responded, "Chong claimed there was no gentrification, but Seongsu-dong in Seongdong District is actually where this phenomenon is most severe in Seoul." She went on, "Right now, pop-up stores are springing up everywhere there, with some paying nearly 10 million won a day in rent, and the rate of increase in commercial rents in Seongsu-dong is the highest in Seoul."
Park then said, "I believe the core of the DPK’s philosophy on real estate is stabilizing the market," adding, "I have seen many DPK leaders, but I have never seen anyone claim rising real estate prices as an achievement of their administration or legislative work." He criticized Chong on this point. Chong countered, saying, "I want to make clear that I have been one of the most active in supporting and aligning myself with the government’s policies to stabilize housing prices."
Preliminary candidate Kim Young-bae also pointed out that Chong has been slow to roll out his campaign pledges, arguing in particular that he lacks a clear vision for housing supply.
Chong explained, "While serving as head of the district office, I was barred by election law from announcing campaign pledges, so I have been unveiling them since stepping down." He continued, "On housing supply, I will promote private apartment construction through redevelopment and reconstruction for those who want that type of housing, while also supplying many practical, no-frills homes for those who want to avoid bubbles, and rental housing for those who need it. I will provide housing through these three distinct channels."
Kim Young-bae also criticized Chong’s pledge to delegate approval authority for redevelopment and reconstruction projects in complexes with 500 or fewer households, warning that it could lead to "haphazard development." He stressed the importance of Seoul City-led support and financial investment instead.
Preliminary candidate Kim Hyung-nam pressed Chong further, asking, "I am proposing that, using the mayor’s authority, we temporarily freeze the rate of increase in monthly rents across Seoul at 0%. What do you think of this idea?"
When Chong replied that such a measure could amount to excessive administrative intervention in the private sector, Kim Hyung-nam countered, "Under the Housing Lease Protection Act, a metropolitan government head can limit rent increases," adding, "I believe that using the necessary authority at the right time is also a mark of competence."
Meanwhile, all of the candidates at the debate sharply criticized the policies being pursued by Mayor Oh.
Park said, "Hangang Bus is a quintessential showcase project. Mayor Oh has claimed it is a form of public transportation, but now not only its safety, but even its business viability is in doubt." He continued, "Rather than wasting additional public funds, I will actively consider scrapping it now and redirecting those resources elsewhere," extending his criticism of Oh’s policies.
Chong argued, "Mayor Oh’s incompetence and showy administration, full of obstruction and discord, are undermining the effectiveness of government policies." He insisted that the DPK must win back the Seoul mayoralty.
Jeon said, "Seoul’s real estate problems are extremely serious," and criticized that "Mayor Oh is focusing solely on private-sector supply."
Kim Hyung-nam added, "In the case of Hangang Bus, the policy was created through the Seoul Housing & Urban Development Corporation (SH Corporation) acting as a middleman, without any substantial capital contribution," arguing, "SH Corporation, which should be spending its budget on housing stability for young people and low-income residents, is instead using it to pad the mayor’s record."
Kim Young-bae declared, "I will immediately scrap the 180 billion won Hangang Bus project and the 370 billion won Nodeul Island development, as well as the entire Great Hangang Project," adding, "This is not transportation policy, and it will recklessly overdevelop the Hangang River, turning our greatest asset into something practically useless. I promise to terminate it at once."
The DPK will hold one more televised debate on the 20th, then narrow the field of Seoul mayoral contenders to three through a preliminary primary on the 23rd and 24th. The main primary will take place from the 7th to the 9th of next month, and if no candidate wins a majority, the top two vote-getters will face off in a runoff from the 17th to the 19th to choose a single final nominee.
gowell@fnnews.com Kim Hyung-gu Reporter