Hee Sook Yoon Announces Seoul Mayoral Bid... "Jeol-Yoon" Controversy Complicates Election Landscape

by Yoo Jaehoon

by Kim Pyeonghwa

Published 04 Mar.2026 11:10(KST)

“A Mayor Who Understands Both the Market and the Economy”

Former People Power Party lawmaker Hee Sook Yoon officially announced her candidacy for the Seoul mayoral election on March 4. While the lineup for the People Power Party’s Seoul mayoral race is gradually taking shape, the internal debate over whether to exclude Yoon (“Jeol-Yoon” controversy) is making the party’s electoral landscape even more challenging.

Yonhap News Agency

On the morning of the same day, former lawmaker Yoon held a press conference at the National Assembly’s communication center and stated, “I am about to begin the fight to defend and revive Seoul, the heart of Korea.” She presented her campaign pledges, which include: a significant expansion of housing supply, developing Chang-dong into a center for the K-culture industry, and overhauling public transportation.

Born in Seoul, Yoon drew attention in the 21st National Assembly with her speech, “I am a tenant.” After the presidential election, she served as the head of the Innovation Committee and advocated for the exclusion of Yoon (“Jeol-Yoon”). Besides her, Mayor Sehoon Oh is also preparing for the election. Lawmaker Dongwook Shin is being mentioned as a potential candidate as well. On this day, Shin appeared on Channel A and said, “There isn’t much time left to decide.”

Although the lineup is becoming clearer, there are widespread concerns that the election will not be easy without a shift in the party’s direction. On the previous day, Mayor Oh appeared on the JoongAng Ilbo’s ‘Hwang Hyunhee’s Uncomfortable Yeouido’ and commented on party leader Donghyeok Jang’s support for campaign rallies, saying, “With the current stance, it won’t be helpful.” Former lawmaker Yoon also stated, “If the party leadership continues to hesitate in making decisions, the outcome of the local elections will be determined by the people’s choice at the ballot box.”

Some within the party leadership are also calling for change. Shin, the chief supreme council member representing the pro-leadership faction, said, “If there are people who see our party as a ‘Yoon Again Party,’ we must accept this humbly, and the party leadership needs to reflect so that such misunderstandings do not arise.”