O Shin-hwan Declares Candidacy: "I Will Be the 'Game Changer' in Seoul... Unification Is an Outdated Political Formula"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Former People Power Party lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan has declared his candidacy for Seoul mayor, branding himself as a 'game changer born in 1971.' He distanced himself from the 'free school meals' generation that stood shoulder to shoulder with the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon. He also made remarks targeting Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, saying that 'unification is an outdated political formula.'

On the 5th, Oh officially announced his candidacy, stating, "It is change and innovation for the young Oh Shin-hwan to become the opposition’s candidate for Seoul mayor."

Oh, who has an unusual background in theater, entered politics in 2006, won a by-election in 2014, and was re-elected in the 20th National Assembly election in 2016 in Gwanak District, Seoul, known as a graveyard for conservative parties.

Advocating reformist conservatism, he served as floor leader of the Bareun Party and Bareunmirae Party, and is currently chairman of the political cooperative 'House,' formed mainly by lawmakers aligned with Yoo Seung-min.

Oh pointed out, "Regardless of party, those who once stood as supporting actors when the late Mayor Park appeared 10 years ago have declared their candidacy or are contemplating it," adding, "However, this is not 'solving the problem' but a 'return to the past.'"

He mentioned changes in the world over the past decade, such as smartphones, Netflix, and BTS, emphasizing, "Seoul citizens do not have the luxury to turn back the clock with supporting actors from the era of heated debates over free school meals."

Regarding opposition unification, he said, "Some say unification guarantees victory, but that is an outdated political formula," stressing, "I believe we must change and innovate to win."

Oh presented his vision for Seoul’s future as a 'three-dimensional city.' He proposed underground infrastructure for roads, urban railways, and resource recycling facilities, while reorganizing above-ground spaces into living areas such as residential, business, shopping, urban parks, and cultural facilities. Oh stated, "If I become Seoul mayor, I will establish the 'three-dimensional city' as the foundation promising Seoul’s new 100 years," emphasizing, "It will be a key to solving Seoul’s chronic issues like balanced development outside Gangnam and problems in old downtown areas."

He vowed to build a smart control system using artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, promote commercialization of UAM (Urban Air Mobility) technology, and establish a compensation system for small and medium-sized business owners who became victims of K-quarantine measures. He said, "Without proper compensation for affected industries, it would be a one-sided shifting of responsibility," adding, "separately from the government, Seoul City will devise relief measures linked to business suspension and restriction orders for affected industries."

Criticizing the Moon administration’s real estate policies, he pledged to lead efforts to accelerate reconstruction and redevelopment. Oh said, "When necessary, I will introduce a fast-track procedure to simplify processes and bring forward the stabilization of supply in the private housing market as much as possible," and proposed providing half-price apartments with repurchase conditions to help non-homeowners and young people own homes.

Oh added, "I will thoroughly investigate the truth behind the late Mayor Park’s sexual harassment allegations and conduct a full audit of all preferential projects and various subsidies executed by people like lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang and Moon Jun-yong who shared benefits among themselves," promising, "I will also expel pseudo-pro-government broadcasters from TBS traffic radio."

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