Kim Byungmin, Seoul Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs, Resigns to Join Mayor Oh's Campaign

Kim Byungmin, Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs of Seoul, tendered his resignation on April 26 in order to join Mayor Oh Sehoon's local election campaign.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon walking across the Seoul Jamsu Bridge during the Slow Morning event held on the 26th of last month. Standing to Mayor Oh's left is Kim Byungmin, Seoul Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

A Seoul city official told a media outlet that day, "Deputy Mayor Kim has submitted his resignation to Mayor Oh," adding, "With Mayor Oh scheduled to register as a preliminary candidate on the 27th, Kim made the decision to play a role in the election."

The Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs is a vice-ministerial-level political position responsible for communication and coordination with the National Assembly, the media, the Seoul Metropolitan Council, as well as labor organizations and professional associations.

Since taking office in July 2024, Deputy Mayor Kim has played a key role in ensuring that the city’s major priority projects have been carried out swiftly and with broad social consensus.

In relation to the "Garden of Gratitude" project at Gwanghwamun Square, he has directly engaged in city diplomacy and secured cooperation with participating allied countries, including the United States, Greece, Norway, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, and India.

Mayor Oh will register as a preliminary candidate for Seoul mayor on the 27th.

Other political appointees on Mayor Oh's team—including Lee Jonghyun, Special Advisor for Public Communication; Park Changu, Special Advisor for Political Affairs; Park Hyungsu, Special Advisor for Policy; and Lee Jihyun, Chief Planning Advisor—have also resigned to prepare for the election.

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