[Exclusive] Why Seocho District Mayor Seongsoo Jeon Is Resorting to Legal Action Ahead of Local Elections

"Political Conspiracy... I Will Not Stand By"
"Fair Play, Competition Should Be Based on Policy and Competence"

As competition for party nominations intensifies ahead of the June 3 local elections, Jeon Seongsu, Mayor of Seocho District in Seoul, has taken a bold step by pursuing legal action.

On March 20, Mayor Jeon simultaneously filed a lawsuit against two JTBC reporters, former People Power Party lawmaker Park Sungjoong, and former Community Chest of Korea Secretary General Hwang Insik, for defamation and damages amounting to 100 million won. He also filed a police complaint against two Naver bloggers, alleging that they posted malicious false information.

Complaint. Provided by the plaintiff.

In a phone interview with The Asia Business Daily on March 22, Mayor Jeon stated, "I could no longer remain silent in the face of a meticulous political conspiracy to eliminate a competent candidate," and emphasized, "I will take strong legal action against malicious slander and the spread of false information."

He added, "As an administrative expert with 30 years of experience, I feel devastated that my reputation is being dismissed as a product of political collusion."

"Tried to let it go, but the spread of false information only intensified"

The situation traces back to the end of last year. JTBC reported that it had obtained an audio recording between former lawmaker Park Sungjoong and an associate, and, based on Park's statements, suggested that during the 2022 local elections, former President Yoon Sukyeol intervened in the candidate selection process, resulting in Mayor Jeon receiving a single-party nomination.

Mayor Jeon explained, "I had no knowledge of any intervention in the nomination process at the time and clarified that my 30 years of administrative experience likely formed the basis for my single-party nomination. I did not intend to pursue legal action." However, according to Mayor Jeon, the situation changed rapidly around the time of registering as a candidate for the People Power Party nomination. As the spread of false information escalated, he began receiving daily calls from supporters expressing concerns and asking what steps he was taking.

Mayor Jeon remarked, "Seeing the continuous and widespread reproduction of false and malicious content, I began to suspect that this was a targeted scheme against me." He further emphasized, "Even though former lawmaker Park Sungjoong himself admitted that the boastful comments made while drinking were maliciously recorded and circulated, turning this into an allegation of nomination interference is clearly a political attack."

Including former Secretary General Hwang Insik from another party as a defendant stems from the same reasoning. Mayor Jeon stated, "Even though Hwang was aware that the JTBC report was false, he made it public in interviews with other media outlets, thereby damaging the reputation of the sitting district mayor. This shows a clear malicious intent to cause irreparable harm during the election period."

Jeon Seongsu, Park Sungjoong, and Hwang Insik: Tied Together by 'Seocho'

The three individuals involved in this incident are connected through complex relationships. Former lawmaker Park Sungjoong passed the 23rd Administrative Examination, served as Seoul Metropolitan Government press officer and deputy mayor of Seocho District, was elected as the fourth mayor of Seocho District from 2006 to 2010, and later served as a two-term National Assembly member representing Seocho District (B).

Hwang Insik, who recently switched parties from the People Power Party and is seeking the Democratic Party nomination, passed the Local Administration Examination, worked at Seocho District Office for 11 years, and later held positions as Seoul City Administrative Bureau Chief, spokesperson, and head of the Han River Project Headquarters. In 2022, he ran in the People Power Party’s primary for Seocho District mayor but lost to the incumbent Mayor Jeon Seongsu, who received the single-party nomination at the time.

Jeon Seongsu, Mayor of Seocho District. Provided by Seocho District Office.

Mayor Jeon Seongsu himself also passed the 31st Administrative Examination and has served as Seoul Metropolitan Government Administrative Director, Senior Administrative Officer at the Blue House, spokesperson at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and Deputy Mayor for Administrative Affairs of Incheon. He maintains senior-junior relationships with others from his time in Seoul city administration.

Mayor Jeon said, "Shin Dongwook, Senior Supreme Council Member for our party in this district, recently urged fair play when we met, and I wholeheartedly agree. I will compete fairly and confidently based on policies, capabilities, and content."

Meanwhile, with Choi Hojung, Chairman of Seoul Metropolitan Council, recently officially announcing his candidacy for Seocho District mayor, the nomination race among People Power Party candidates is heating up even further.

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