Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, launched a direct attack on incumbent Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party on Sunday, saying, "I've never seen someone who couldn't solve exam questions within the allotted time solve them just because they were given more time."
In an interview on MBN's "News Wide" that day, Jung said, "When Mayor Oh served his first term, he had good energy and accomplished many things. Now in his fourth term, after 10 years, hasn't his energy significantly diminished?" He added, "Tasks that could not be resolved despite having sufficient time cannot be resolved simply because time is extended or another opportunity is given. I believe it is time for new energy and vitality."
Regarding Oh's attacks labeling him a "yes-man for President Lee Jae-myung" and claiming he "cannot let Seoul become an ATM for leftist groups again," Jung responded, "I don't think Candidate Oh is in a position to say such things."
"Is the yes-man comment referring to being a yes-man to President Lee?" Jung said. "Candidate Oh is someone who kept quiet and watched the mood when former President Yoon Suk-yeol was ruining the country. Now, when President Lee is leading the country well through the difficult Middle East war, it is not right to tackle him like that." He added, "The mayor's role is to cooperate well with the president and support citizens' daily lives safely and reliably. If he wanted to tackle someone, he should have spoken up when former President Yoon was ruining the country."
On the outlook for the Seoul mayoral race, Jung said, "Seoul in particular is expected to see a close contest, because there is voter consolidation." He added, "I am conducting my campaign every day with urgency and sincerity."
