Jeong Won-o, a preliminary candidate for Seoul mayor from the Democratic Party of Korea, apologized for remarks suggesting that "the mayorship is not a stepping stone to the presidency" and that "former Mayor Park Won-soon and Mayor Oh Se-hoon are the same."
Jeong posted on his social media account on the 8th, stating, "I sincerely apologize to those who were hurt by my remarks."
"I was someone who worked closer to Mayor Park Won-soon than anyone and watched his anguish with deep sympathy," he said. "What I intended to convey was that the Seoul mayor's office is a position that must focus solely on citizens' lives and Seoul's future, and that I too would devote myself only to that responsibility."
"In the process of delivering that message, I caused pain and concern to many people," he added. "I will always maintain a humble attitude and seek to be evaluated on Seoul's future and citizens' livelihoods."
On the 7th, Jeong appeared on CBS Radio's "Park Sung-tae's News Show" and was asked by the host whether he had presidential ambitions. "From my experience, former Mayor Park Won-soon and Mayor Oh Se-hoon are the same," he said. "From the moment they start eyeing the presidency, their stance begins to waver, strange things start happening, and they develop strange stubbornness. That is precisely because they were looking at the presidency."
He also emphasized, "I want to make it clear that I will not follow in those footsteps."
The remarks sparked controversy within the ruling bloc. Rep. Park Joo-min, a rival candidate for the Democratic Party's Seoul mayoral nomination, appeared on SBS Radio's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show" the same day and said, "I found it extremely shocking," adding, "What he said was wrong."