Oh Shin-hwan "Decided to run after Ahn Cheol-soo's appearance... Backlash possible during unification process"

Published 06 Jan.2021 08:31(KST)

Former lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan is declaring his candidacy for Seoul mayor on the 5th at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 5th, Oh Shin-hwan, former People Power Party lawmaker who declared his candidacy for Seoul mayor, expressed concerns that the unification process between Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and the People Power Party primary candidates could backfire. He pointed out that if figures who ran in the Seoul mayoral election 10 years ago, including Ahn, face off, the election might get stuck in past frames.

On the morning of the 6th, Oh appeared on CBS Radio’s "Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show" and said, "What decisively made me decide to run was Ahn’s declaration of candidacy along with unification."

Oh said, "Because I thought this election would be a regression to the past," adding, "Those who are expected to run or are saying they will run now are the same people who played supporting roles to the late Park Won-soon’s emergence as Seoul mayor 10 years ago."

Not only Ahn but also Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups and a leading candidate from the ruling party, former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won from the opposition, and former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon are all described as "supporting actors from 10 years ago." Oh explained, "Since the same figures are reappearing after 10 years, this election could turn into a mudslinging fight within the frame of the past. I believe I am the right person to create a younger Seoul."

Regarding his low name recognition, he said, "Since polls are based on recognition, I am just a number," adding, "When looking at who can actually work as a local government head, the mayor of Seoul, the citizens’ aspirations will definitely come to me."

He also warned that fatigue from the unification process could cause a backlash. Oh said, "When Ahn or former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop go through a tedious push-and-pull primary for the second stage of unification, citizens may become fatigued and a backlash could occur," and pointed out, "What Ahn should do first is to clarify his own thoughts on how to achieve unification."

As for Seoul’s real estate pledges, he proposed a fast-track system for redevelopment and reconstruction, and half-priced apartments with repurchase conditions. He also suggested policies that would change citizens’ lives, such as balanced development between northern and southern Seoul through three-dimensional city construction, urban regeneration policies, an artificial intelligence (AI) control system, and transportation changes using mobility technology.

Regarding the pardon issue raised by Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, he said, "The president should grant pardons through a process of national consensus," adding, "I do not think that apology and reflection from the parties involved must necessarily be a prerequisite."