Oh Se-hoon: "You can't eat Mr. Jongja just because you're hungry... This governor is a tough opponent"

Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is giving a lecture on the topic "The Impact and Changes of North Korean Nuclear Threat and the 4th Industrial Revolution on Security" at the United Future Party's event "True to Its Name, Conservative" held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul on the 22nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon firmly dismissed speculation about his candidacy in the Seoul mayoral by-election, stating, "I sincerely hope that a good alternative candidate within the party will come forward instead of me," while reinforcing his intention to run for the presidential election.

On the 15th, in an interview with MBN's 'Jung Woon-gap's In-depth Analysis,' when asked, "If the party asks you to run for Seoul mayor, would you consider running?" he replied indirectly, "A farmer must sow seeds in the spring to reap a big harvest a year later. If he eats the seeds during the winter just because he is a little hungry, how can he farm for a year?" thereby declining the offer.

This indicated his intention to run as a candidate in the 2022 presidential election instead of the Seoul mayoral by-election.

He also stated, "Having about three or four people fiercely competing within the party during the presidential election phase greatly helps to strengthen the candidate's capabilities," adding, "I would be glad to be the (presidential) candidate, but even if I am not, I will contribute to creating such a fierce competitive process."

Meanwhile, when asked, "Between Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, and Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, who is a tougher opponent?" he said, "I think Governor Lee Jae-myung is more competitive," explaining, "He knows how to fully utilize his position as the current governor. If you scrutinize and debate his basic income policy, there are actually many flaws. But he keeps proposing it relentlessly. If I may be presumptuous in comparison, I think Governor Lee Jae-myung will show stronger stamina toward the end."

Regarding a public opinion poll where Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl ranked first in presidential candidate support, he commented, "It is neither proper nor courteous to drag a sitting Prosecutor General into the middle of politics," adding, "If he wants to engage in politics, it is not too late to do so after resigning as Prosecutor General."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.