Rep. Park Joo-min to Announce Seoul Mayoral Bid at Gwanghwamun Square

Rep. Park Joo-min of the Democratic Party of Korea will announce his candidacy for Seoul mayor at Gwanghwamun Square on January 11.

Park announced through a media notice on Friday that he will hold a campaign launch event on Saturday.

The event will feature citizen speakers sharing their visions for Seoul's future, followed by Park's official announcement and a press Q&A session. At the event, Park is expected to outline his commitment to completely redesigning Seoul as "a basic special city of affordable minimums and an opportunity special city of maximum potential," pledging to create "a Seoul that transitions correctly and leaps forward properly."

Citizen speakers will include tattoo artist Doy, actor Lee Kwan-hoon, Lee Jung-hwan, co-chair of the TBS emergency committee, a resident of youth affordable housing, and a father of four daughters.

In an interview with The Seoul Economic Daily on December 30, Park expressed his determination to run, saying, "I have achieved legislative results in areas that others only imagined but never dared to attempt. Seoul now needs someone who can turn such imagination into reality and deliver results." He also outlined plans to build a 50,000-seat concert venue in northwestern Seoul and significantly increase budget support for AI and bio hubs.

Among ruling party lawmakers, four have officially announced their Seoul mayoral bids: Park Joo-min, Park Hong-keun, Seo Young-kyo, and Jeon Hyun-hee. Approximately 10 other potential candidates are being mentioned, including Rep. Kim Young-bae, former Reps. Park Yong-jin and Hong Ik-pyo, and Seongdong District Mayor Jung Won-oh.