Kim In-ho, Chair of Seoul Metropolitan Council, to Achieve Cooperation with Mayor Oh Se-hoon?

Chairman Kim Criticizes Mayor Oh Se-hoon for Lack of Passion in COVID-19 Measures Since Inauguration, Raising Concerns Over Collapse of 'Kim-Oh Cooperation'

Mayor Oh Se-hoon (left) visited Chairman Kim In-ho on the 8th, his first day at work after being elected in the April 7 by-election, to request cooperation.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim In-ho, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, is seriously angry. Chairman Kim made considerable efforts to cooperate with Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who was elected in the April 7 by-election.

He also played a certain role in the reorganization of the Seoul city government after Mayor Oh's inauguration.

However, as Mayor Oh showed a lukewarm attitude toward city administration, such as not taking active measures on quarantine issues related to the lives of Seoul citizens, it is reported that Chairman Kim is seriously reconsidering cooperation with Mayor Oh.

Chairman Kim told reporters, “The decision to cooperate with Mayor Oh was made for the 10 million citizens of Seoul,” adding, “Looking at Mayor Oh’s recent actions, it seems cooperation should be withdrawn.”

The reason Chairman Kim is so disappointed with Mayor Oh is mainly due to the attitude shown after being elected as Seoul mayor through the April 7 by-election.

Mayor Oh emphasized ‘Seoul-style quarantine’ focusing on ‘coexistence quarantine,’ which is believed to have contributed to the significant spread of the fourth pandemic wave.

Chairman Kim’s intentions were conveyed to Mayor Oh’s side, and although Mayor Oh recently held a press conference to apologize to the citizens of Seoul, the gap of distrust appears to have deepened.

With Chairman Kim taking such a hardline stance, it is expected that when the Seoul Metropolitan Council convenes, there will be fierce attacks, and issues such as easing height restrictions along the Han River are also expected to face difficulties.

Above all, despite Mayor Oh’s denial, he is being strongly mentioned as a leading candidate for the People Power Party’s ‘next presidential election,’ which seems to have increased Chairman Kim’s distrust of Mayor Oh.

Chairman Kim said, “Mayor Oh seems to be more interested in the presidential election than in city administration.”

Accordingly, during the second half of the council session when the Seoul city budget review for next year begins in earnest, Seoul city council members are expected to focus their criticism on Mayor Oh.

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