[Viewpoint] Expectations for the Contest Between Jeong Wonoh and Oh Sehoon

This has been the case in every election. Candidates say they will focus on a "battle of policies," yet as election day approaches, they become increasingly engaged in personal attacks. We call this the "negative strategy." It happens both in tightly contested races and when one candidate is leading by a wide margin. It typically begins with the urgency felt by the trailing candidate. In short-term contests, the basic election strategy is to put pressure on the opponent and force them into a defensive position. If executed skillfully, the chasing candidate may even pull off a last-minute upset. However, policy pledges are pushed to the back burner.

With the local elections scheduled for June 3 approaching, the two major parties have selected their candidates for Seoul mayor. The Democratic Party of Korea has already chosen Jung Won-oh, a three-term mayor of Seongdong District. Jung became a notable figure after receiving a 94.7% positive rating in a mayoral performance evaluation conducted by Korea Research in 2024 during his term. He also received an endorsement from President Lee Jaemyung, who remarked, "He must indeed be doing a great job." The People Power Party, after much internal debate, nominated Oh Sehoon, the incumbent Seoul mayor. The fact that Oh is now serving his fourth term as Seoul mayor speaks for itself. The two candidates share notable similarities in their backgrounds: neither has extensive experience as a member of the National Assembly, and both have built their careers through local administrative work in Seoul. Their strength lies in administrative ability. Although they lack significant experience in central politics, they arguably understand the hardships and inconveniences faced by citizens better than anyone. They are also far removed from outdated political practices.

The policy contest between the two candidates is already heating up. When President Lee mentioned a reform of the long-term single-homeowner tax deduction, the debate over real estate taxation quickly became a focal point. In the coming weeks, major issues such as real estate redevelopment, job creation, Seoul's international competitiveness, and the polarization of Seoul citizens will be hotly debated. In particular, a fierce battle is expected over real estate policy, with the Lee Jaemyung administration's strong regulations clashing with Oh's real estate platform.

The Democratic Party has raised the issue of judging the opposition in relation to former President Yoon Suk-yeol's illegal martial law incident, but this is unlikely to resonate with Oh, who has consistently opposed martial law. For this reason, the Seoul mayoral race is likely to become a true contest of policies. Some observers predict a mundane local election, but the intense debates over policy pledges could make this race more compelling than ever.

There is another key point to watch in this Seoul mayoral election: the future of the loser. Both camps have declared victory, but when one wins, someone else must lose. Yet, the current political situation is such that, rather unusually, both the winner and the loser have an opportunity to grow in political stature. The late President Roh Moo-hyun, for example, declined the nomination for Seoul's Jongno District—a relatively safe seat—in the April 2000 16th general election, and instead ran for Buk-gu and Gangseo-gu B in Busan. Although he lost, saying he would "overcome the wall of regionalism," he earned the nickname "Fool Roh Moo-hyun" and laid the foundation for his presidential bid. Sometimes, losing rather than winning can bring new light to a person's future.

It is clear that both candidates will go on to play significant roles in central politics beyond the Seoul mayor's office. For one, victory will open up new opportunities. For the other, simply fighting well—regardless of the outcome—can bring them closer to an opportunity. Opportunity arises more from the process than the result: how well they fight, and what message they deliver to voters. Through their campaigns, the candidates must inspire hope in Korean politics. They must present a vision for new politics and demonstrate the dignity of a major political leader. It is time to show a different side than what has been seen in politics so far—one that is persuasive and bold. If they can leave such an impression on voters, even defeat will not truly be a loss.

There are 40 days left until election day. I hope both candidates will abandon negative strategies and compete on the basis of policy. I look forward to a shift in the election climate. I hope they will enter the race with the single belief that they can "change Korea for the better." Someone needs to win well, and someone needs to lose well. Only then can the path to becoming a great political leader open up. Korea will gain a new leader.

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