Seoul: Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has opted not to run for the main opposition People Power Party (PPP)'s candidacy in the upcoming June local elections, as confirmed by his aides on Sunday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Mayor Oh did not register as a candidate for the Seoul mayorship in the June 3 elections by the designated deadline of 6 p.m. Sunday. Oh's decision is rooted in his belief that the PPP should focus on severing ties with former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted and is currently incarcerated while facing insurrection charges linked to his unsuccessful martial law attempt in December 2024.
Oh has consistently urged the party leadership to realign its stance, distancing itself from Yoon to improve its standing ahead of the elections. This decision comes amid a significant decline in public support for the PPP, raising concerns about the party's prospects in the local elections. The party has been dealing with internal discord since its defeat in the previous year's presidential election, primarily due to Yoon's brief imposition of martial law.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Oh expressed, "What is the point of registering candidacy and holding a primary as long as the prioritized task of normalizing the party line remains unresolved?" He further emphasized the necessity for the party to decide on strategies to regain public trust and secure electoral victories.
The PPP is set to convene an emergency general meeting of its lawmakers on Monday, where discussions may focus on Oh's and other reform-minded lawmakers' calls for a shift in the party's direction.
Source: Yonhap News Agency