Oh Se-hoon "Reflecting on Midterm Resignation as Mayor... Efforts for the Country"

A Comeback After 10 Years
Selective Welfare Pledges Including Anshim Income
Highlights Administrative Experience as Competitiveness
"Stepping Up with the Mindset of Paying Off Debt"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] "(Regarding my mid-term resignation as Seoul Mayor) I reflect on it and offer my apologies."

Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's preliminary candidate for Seoul Mayor, said this in an interview with Asia Economy on the 19th about risking his mayoral position over the free school meals controversy 10 years ago. He also stated, "The referendum itself was meaningful. It was my effort to uphold values for the future of the country."

Oh Se-hoon, People Power Party Seoul mayoral primary candidate. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

At the time in 2011, Oh, then the Mayor of Seoul, held a referendum on whether to provide free school meals only to children from lower-income households or to implement free meals regardless of income. Due to low voter turnout, the vote was invalidated, and he resigned from his mayoral position over the issue.

He is now challenging the Seoul mayoral position again, reaffirming his belief in selective welfare from 10 years ago. He has also presented a blueprint to restructure the entire welfare system after conducting a three-year guaranteed income experiment targeting 200 households below the median income. Guaranteed income is a welfare system that contrasts with universal basic income by focusing on cash support in a graduated manner for lower-income groups. Oh said, "After operating the system for two years and observing it, we will analyze for one year to see whether it truly motivates work, what the consumption patterns are, and how it compares in pros and cons to those receiving other welfare benefits. Once we have this comparison, we will decide whether to expand or discontinue it."

Participating in the party primary, he cited his administrative experience as a competitive edge differentiating him from other candidates. He assessed, "Since Seoul is in a crisis situation, understanding and adapting to the administration might take up the entire term." Oh added, "I have stepped forward with the mindset of repaying a debt to the citizens of Seoul. If elected mayor, I will challenge for re-election."

With the Democratic Party holding an absolute majority in Seoul's district offices (24 out of 25) and city council (101 out of 109), he announced plans to lead the administration by leveraging the 'power of the citizens' for cooperation. He said, "There are no partisan disagreements on issues related to daily administrative affairs," but added, "There may be differences in opinion between the ruling and opposition parties, but for these matters, we need to rely on the power of Seoul citizens. If it is publicized that this direction is desirable, can the city council just oppose it?"

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