Oh Se-hoon, Revival After 10 Years... Confirming Public Support for 'Rational Conservatism' Embracing Centrism

Rising as a Key Opposition Figure Upon Election as Seoul Mayor
Naegok-dong In-Law Land Allegation the Biggest Variable

Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate selected as the unified candidate of the broad opposition for the Seoul mayoral by-election, clenched his fists tightly after finishing a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 23rd. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The political revival of Oh Se-hoon. He has taken a step closer to the position of Seoul Mayor, from which he stepped down 10 years ago after opposing universal free school meals and losing a resident referendum. He has emerged as the unified candidate of the conservative opposition by consecutively defeating former lawmaker Na Kyung-won and People's Party candidate Ahn Cheol-soo. Even before the unification, various polls showed him leading Democratic Party candidate Park Young-sun by a margin beyond the margin of error, and his support has grown stronger after the unification.

At a press conference on the 23rd, Oh said to Ahn, "I offer my words of comfort and gratitude. We fought in the unification battle, but in the war to judge the regime, please firmly hold my hand." He continued, "I will surely heed the solemn command of the citizens to judge the regime through unification and to open the way for regime change."

If Oh ultimately succeeds in re-entering Seoul City Hall, he could emerge as a key figure in the conservative opposition, which has been struggling with a shortage of prominent figures. This is because he would become the protagonist who thoroughly cures the chronic wounds of the opposition, which has suffered four consecutive losses in nationwide elections. As Oh mentioned, this by-election strongly serves as a preliminary battle for the presidential election in March next year, and there is a high likelihood of a reorganization of the opposition political landscape thereafter. If he becomes Seoul Mayor, discussions could center around him, and he could rise as a leading candidate for the next presidential election. The schedule includes the presidential election in March and local elections in June next year, with some voices calling for simultaneous elections.

By winning the primary against former lawmaker Na, Oh confirmed public sentiment favoring a "rational conservative" over a "hardline conservative." Also, by defeating candidate Ahn, he has positioned himself as a candidate who can embrace not only traditional conservatives and People Power Party supporters but also moderate-leaning voters. If Ahn supports the campaign as promised, his support base is expected to expand further.

According to recent poll results, Oh leads significantly in a head-to-head race against Park. Oh holds 50.6% support, leading Park, who has 36.8%, by 13.8 percentage points. (Ipsos, commissioned by JoongAng Ilbo, 1,002 Seoul residents aged 18 and over, margin of error ±3.1 percentage points at 95% confidence level). This survey was conducted from the 19th to 20th. Another poll conducted on the 20th and 21st also showed Oh at 47% and Park at 30.4%, with Oh leading by 16.6 percentage points. (Joint survey by three terrestrial broadcasters, 1,006 residents aged 18 and over in Seoul and Busan, margin of error ±3.1 percentage points at 95% confidence level).

Oh’s decline from being the next-generation conservative leader began in 2011. When the free school meal ordinance passed in the Seoul Metropolitan Council, he gambled on a resident referendum, but the turnout failed to meet the required threshold, and he stepped down as promised. He has been criticized by the conservative camp for paving the way for the late Park Won-soon, former Seoul Mayor. This has become an inseparable stigma.

After a period as a political ronin, he ran in the 2016 general election in Jongno but lost to Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun. In 2019, he challenged for the party leadership at the Liberty Korea Party convention but failed to surpass former leader Hwang Kyo-ahn. In last year’s general election, he ran in Gwangjin, Seoul, but was defeated by Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Min-jung, tasting bitter defeat.

Oh, seeking a turnaround, is emphasizing his administrative experience as a competitive edge with the catchphrase "Skilled from day one." He stands at the gateway to once again becoming Seoul Mayor and challenging for the presidency. Many obstacles remain. Above all, the ruling party’s attacks are intensifying over allegations that during his previous term as mayor, he "self-designated" his in-laws’ land in Naegok-dong as a public housing district. He has taken a firm stance, saying once again, "If a conscience declaration emerges, I will resign." Considering the public’s extreme sensitivity to real estate corruption, this will inevitably be a major variable.

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