Oh Sehoon Strengthens Independent Election Campaign, Keeps Distance from Party Leadership

by Lee Sungmin

Published 12 May.2026 11:00(KST)

Attendance at Seoul Chapter Campaign Committee Inauguration Ceremony

The Seoul Metropolitan Chapter of the People Power Party and Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon are reinforcing an independent election campaign structure, maintaining a certain distance from the party's central leadership.

On May 12, Oh attended the inauguration ceremony and joint meeting of the Seoul Party Election Campaign Committee held at the People Power Party's central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul.

Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral candidate, Bae Hyun-jin, head of the Seoul City Party Committee, and other attendees are shouting slogans at the 9th Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections Seoul City Party Victory Resolution and Nominee Conference held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 30th of last month. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

This campaign committee launch was held separately, as Party Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk was attending events in North Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang Provinces on the same day. The party leadership also did not attend the Candidate Nomination and Victory Resolution Rally hosted by the Seoul Party Chapter on the 30th of last month.

The independent actions of the party leadership and Oh's camp surrounding the Seoul election appear to continue. In forming his campaign committee, Oh placed practical and non-mainstream figures at the forefront, emphasizing outreach to moderate voters.

The composition of the campaign committee at the central party level is also scheduled to be released this week. Although there had been internal discussions about Chairman Jang stepping back from the frontline, the consensus now seems to be that Chairman Jang will continue leading the election campaign. Chief Spokesperson Park Seong-hoon told reporters at the National Assembly the previous day, "The party chair's role is essential within the campaign committee."

However, some continue to express concern that Chairman Jang's strong conservative image may make it difficult to broaden support among moderates, making it likely that regionally independent campaign committees will remain the focus.

Regarding Chairman Jang's potential support for the campaign, Oh drew a clear line at a debate hosted by the Korea Broadcasting Journalists Club at the MBN Media Center the previous day, saying, "I would appreciate the gesture if he wants to help, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary at this moment."