Woo Sang-ho "The side winning the by-election will hold the lead in the presidential race"

"President Moon's Evaluation Depends on Election
Declaration of Candidacy, Sincere Competition"
Three-Way Race Expected with Park Young-sun and Park Ju-min

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Woo Sang-ho, the first Democratic Party candidate for the Seoul mayoral by-election, stated on the 14th, "The by-election has a very strong meaning as a preliminary battle for the presidential election, and the winner will take the lead in the next presidential election," expressing his determination to win.

In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the morning of the same day, Rep. Woo said, "We cannot give up until the next presidential election. Whether President Moon Jae-in receives a successful evaluation also depends on this election."

Woo Sang-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is making an official declaration of candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election at the National Assembly Communication Office press conference room on the 13th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Regarding his campaign pledges announced at the press conference the day before, including the supply of 160,000 public housing units and free vaccine provision, he said, "It is possible." Woo explained, "Since the government bears part of the cost, the budget is about 250 billion to 300 billion won, including vaccination fees." About public housing, he said, "We can create an artificial base over the Gangbyeonbuk-ro and Olympic-daero sections to build townhouses about seven stories high," adding, "The idea is to build them as premium rental housing that people want to live in."

He also emphasized his early declaration of candidacy, saying, "I declared my candidacy first to open the by-election phase," and "I sincerely want to compete." He continued, "My strength lies in the symbolism of being the legitimate successor of the Democratic and progressive camps," and stated, "The role of the 86 generation is necessary. Once our generation, which experienced the June Struggle, fulfills its role, we will naturally hand over the leadership to the younger generation."

Currently, the candidates within the party for the Seoul mayoral by-election have narrowed down to a three-way race among Rep. Woo, Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Young-sun, and Rep. Park Joo-min. Minister Park is still deliberating. Although a final decision is expected before the cabinet reshuffle, she has shown a lukewarm attitude so far. In an interview with CBS Radio's Kim Hyun-jung News Show on the 1st, when asked if it was time to make a decision, she replied, "I am praying to be guided on what the right path is in these difficult times," avoiding a definitive answer. Rep. Park, a former member of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun), has also practically settled on running. Known as the 'Sewol Ferry lawyer' and having shown strong support in the party leadership race, she is expected to emerge as a competitive candidate.

In the race for the Busan mayoral candidate, the field is narrowing as former Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Hae-young declared his withdrawal the day before. Considering the difficulty for current Busan district lawmakers to run, National Assembly Secretary-General Kim Young-choon is practically the most likely candidate. Former Rep. Kim announced his withdrawal on Facebook the day before, stating, "Rather than political gains and losses, it is only when I have a clear conviction about the vision for Busan's revival that I will challenge, which is a courtesy to the citizens of Busan."

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