AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Cho Hyeon-mi
  • Candidates Launch Campaigns for Seoul Mayor Election
    Candidates Launch Campaigns for Seoul Mayor Election Jung Won-o of the Democratic Party and Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party officially launched their campaigns for the Seoul mayoral election on May 21. Jung is focusing on his political hometown of Seongdong, while Oh is reaching out to citizens in Gangbuk, where his elementary school is located. On the first day of the campaign, Jung visited the Dong Seoul Postal Center in Gwangjin-gu at midnight to encourage workers and personally moved packages in the sorting area. He was accompanied by Jung Cheong-rae, the Democratic Party leader, who also participated in the postal work. After completing his initial campaign schedule, Jung shared on Facebook, "I wanted to deliver the future of Seoul to the citizens and our descendants through this local election while experiencing their lives. I will do my best to ensure that Seoul stands on a safe foundation." Later that morning at 10:30 a.m., Jung held an official campaign launch at Wangsimni Station in Seongdong-gu, which is considered his political hometown. Jung previously served three terms as the district chief there. The launch event is expected to showcase the strength of the Democratic Party, with Jung and numerous officials from 25 autonomous districts and 48 regional committees in attendance. Meanwhile, Oh began his campaign at midnight by visiting the Garak Agricultural and Fishery Wholesale Market in Songpa-gu, greeting merchants and assisting with loading cabbages onto trucks. He stated, "Thanks to the self-employed individuals who quietly work in difficult circumstances, the economy of Seoul continues to thrive. I will work hard alongside those who are building a bright future for Seoul." At 9:30 a.m., Oh delivered his campaign message in the alley near his elementary school in Gangbuk, where he grew up in a makeshift village. Oh then plans to meet voters in the districts of Seodaemun, Yeongdeungpo, Guro, and Seongbuk before holding his official campaign launch at Cheonggye Plaza at 7 p.m. Both candidates will conclude their first official campaign schedules in Gangnam. Jung will revisit the construction site of the GTX-A line at Samsung Station, where issues with missing rebar have arisen, at 2:50 p.m. He will then engage in a focused campaign and greet citizens during rush hour at Gangnam Square at 6 p.m. Oh will also wrap up his day in Gangnam, greeting citizens near Gangnam Station at 8 p.m. to solicit their support. 2026-05-21 09:27:00
  • Candidates Launch Campaigns for Seoul Mayor Election
    Candidates Launch Campaigns for Seoul Mayor Election Jung Won-o, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul Mayor, and Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, will officially launch their campaigns on May 21. According to political sources on May 20, Jung will visit the Dongseoul Postal Distribution Center in Gwangjin-gu at midnight to meet with workers on the night shift. Joining him will be Democratic Party officials, including Representative Jung Cheong-rae and former lawmakers Park Joo-min and Jeon Hyun-hee, who are part of the 'Ottu Campaign Team' following their defeat in the mayoral primary. Later that morning at 10:30 a.m., Jung will hold an official launch event at Wangsimni Station Plaza in his political hometown of Seongdong-gu. The event is expected to attract numerous Democratic Party officials from 25 districts and 48 local committees. In the afternoon, Jung will focus on campaigning in the Gangnam area. At 3 p.m., he will greet voters at the Seocho-gu Express Bus Terminal, followed by a major rally at Gangnam Square at 6 p.m. targeting commuters. Oh Se-hoon will announce the start of his campaign at midnight at the Garak Agricultural and Fishery Wholesale Market in Songpa-gu. He plans to engage with voters by personally transporting vegetables like cabbage and radishes at the auction site. His first rally with former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min will take place at 9:30 a.m., with an official launch event scheduled for the afternoon. Gyeonggi governor candidates will also kick off their campaigns. Democratic Party candidate Choo Mi-ae will hold her first rally at 10 a.m. at Seohyeon Station in Bundang-gu, accompanied by Representative Jung and lawmakers Kim Tae-nyeon, Lee Soo-jin, and Seongnam mayoral candidate Kim Byeong-wook to rally support. Reform Party candidate Jo Eung-cheon will hold a joint launch event for the Central and Gyeonggi Election Campaign Committees at his campaign office in Hwaseong at 9 a.m. He will then move to Suwon Station's underground shopping area for his first street rally at noon. Yang Hyang-ja, a candidate from the People Power Party who is on a hunger strike to prevent a total strike at Samsung Electronics, will hold her launch event at 3 p.m. at the Yeongdong Market in Suwon. However, if negotiations between Samsung Electronics and labor representatives break down that day, she plans to cancel the event and continue her protest.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 08:30:38
  • Seoul Mayor Candidate Oh Se-hoon Promises Expanded Support for Vulnerable Groups
    Seoul Mayor Candidate Oh Se-hoon Promises Expanded Support for Vulnerable Groups Oh Se-hoon, the candidate for Seoul Mayor from the People Power Party, expressed his commitment to enhancing support for vulnerable populations as he met with individuals with disabilities and residents of goshiwons on May 19. On that morning, Oh worked as a daily manager at the Warm Storage, a community resource center he established during his previous term as mayor, where residents can select essential goods within a designated credit limit. Wearing a manager's vest, Oh participated in all aspects of store operations, from organizing products to assisting residents who visited the facility. After completing his managerial duties, Oh told reporters, "The Warm Storage not only provides essential items for survival but also serves as a space for goshiwon residents to maintain their dignity and strengthen their resolve for self-reliance. I feel a great sense of fulfillment seeing the residents' spirits lift and their health improve through this initiative." He added, "I am determined to expand such policy approaches, aiming to develop initiatives that resonate with the hearts of the residents, particularly those who are vulnerable." Earlier that day, Oh also held a policy meeting with disability advocacy groups at his campaign office in Gwancheol-dong. During the meeting, he listened to policy proposals from various organizations, which included suggestions for establishing a community-integrated care system, expanding job opportunities for people with disabilities, improving accessibility infrastructure, and ensuring the rights of disabled youth. Oh promised, "I will carefully review the policy proposals presented today to create a Seoul where individuals with disabilities can truly feel the impact of meaningful change."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-19 13:28:43
  • Oh Se-hoon Denies Cover-Up in Missing Rebar Incident Related to GTX-A Line
    Oh Se-hoon Denies Cover-Up in Missing Rebar Incident Related to GTX-A Line Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, reiterated on May 19 that he has not concealed any information regarding the missing rebar issue in the Samsung Station section of the GTX-A line. Speaking to reporters after a policy meeting with disability organizations at the Daewang Building in Gwancheol-dong, Oh stated, "I learned about this issue from the news three or four days ago, and there was no prior report to me," dismissing allegations of concealment raised by his opponent, Jung Won-o, and the ruling party. In response to criticism from the ruling party that the Seoul city government failed to report the rebar issue to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport immediately after discovering it last November, Oh countered, "Everything is documented. We notified the Korea Railroad Corporation three times with construction management reports." Oh also condemned the ruling party's actions in summoning civil servants to the National Assembly. He expressed his frustration, saying, "I cannot help but feel anger when I see the Democratic Party calling civil servants who followed the guidelines of the Seoul city manual to the National Assembly and pressuring them for answers they want." He accused the Democratic Party of inflating the issue for electoral gain, stating, "They are spreading rumors and creating fear. The Democratic Party and candidate Jung should apologize to the public." Regarding the Democratic Party's announcement that it would file a complaint against him for allegedly violating the Public Official Election Act by delivering a speech at the completion ceremony of the Seoul City 'Audit Position,' Oh dismissed the claim as "absurd and not worth responding to."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-19 13:13:04
  • Candidates Honor Victims of May 18 Democratic Uprising in Gwangju
    Candidates Honor Victims of May 18 Democratic Uprising in Gwangju Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party candidate for Gyeonggi governor, and Yang Hyang-ja, the People Power Party candidate, visited Gwangju on May 18 to honor the victims of the May 18 Democratic Uprising and pledged to uphold the spirit of May. Jo Eung-cheon, the Reform Party candidate for Gyeonggi governor, also expressed his commitment to reflecting the May spirit in governance. Choo and Yang paid their respects at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in northern Gwangju before attending the 46th anniversary ceremony at May 18th Democracy Square in eastern Gwangju. At the ceremony, Choo stated, "We were able to properly honor the spirit of May 18 for the first time after achieving a change in government and overcoming the insurrection." She added, "Because we were given the strength to overcome the insurrection, I feel that all citizens of South Korea are survivors of May 18. I am grateful." Choo also emphasized her commitment to upholding the spirit of May, stating on Facebook before the ceremony, "The May spirit of Gwangju has protected today's South Korea. I will engrave that spirit in our constitution and carry it forward with the people of Gyeonggi Province." Yang, who attended high school in Gwangju, paid tribute to the victims and stated, "No one should ever again bring the military into politics." She emphasized the importance of remembering the tears of Gwangju, asserting, "We must never forget that today's South Korea stands on the pain and sacrifices of our democracy." Yang also pledged to serve as a bridge between the People Power Party and the Honam region, stating, "Without support from Honam, there is no future for conservatism. We must confront and overcome the significant divide between the sentiments of the Honam people and the People Power Party that I felt in Gwangju." After completing his schedule in Gyeonggi, Jo issued a statement expressing his dismay at the political arena's continued use of the May 18 incident as a tool for political attacks or as a means of absolution. He stated, "To create the nation that the spirits of May dreamed of, I will seek the path forward with the urgent hearts of those who yearned for democracy half a century ago, navigating through every alley. I promise to listen to the voices of the people and reflect the urgency of May in our policies and governance."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 23:15:00
  • Seoul Mayoral Candidates Clash Over Safety Concerns and Transparency
    Seoul Mayoral Candidates Clash Over Safety Concerns and Transparency Jung Won-o, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, called on his opponent, Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party, to clarify when he first became aware of the omission of rebar in the construction of the GTX-A line at Samsung Station. Oh countered by asserting that he has never concealed reports from construction companies and demanded that Jung disclose details of his trip to Cancun, Mexico. After announcing youth housing measures in front of Seoul City Hall, Jung told reporters that "important matters should be reported either individually or in person," adding, "I asked Oh when he first received the report and what actions he took afterward, but I have yet to receive a response." He urged Oh to clarify the timeline and subsequent actions regarding the rebar omission, stating, "If what he said about confirming it yesterday is true, it cannot be a trivial matter." In response to accusations from the People Power Party that he is spreading a so-called 'rebar myth,' Jung criticized the party for its 'safety complacency.' He stated, "Avoiding and hiding safety issues is a sign of safety complacency. The reasons for accidents later stem from this. Safety issues must be transparently disclosed." Oh refuted Jung's claims, asserting that the Democratic Party is making unfounded allegations during the election campaign. After visiting the Youth Employment Academy in Yeongdeungpo, he told reporters, "It has been confirmed that the omission report from Hyundai Engineering & Construction was promptly communicated to the Korea Railroad Corporation by the Seoul City government." He added, "As the election atmosphere shifts, they are politicizing the issue. This is a cowardly and unjust attempt," and emphasized that creating unfounded rumors is not something the ruling party should engage in. Oh also raised concerns about Jung's trip to Cancun during his tenure as the head of Seongdong District. He explained on Channel A's YouTube broadcast that, "From the perspective of Seoul City, it is quite rare for overseas trips to last more than ten days." He further criticized, "If a three-day vacation was included in the middle of the trip, it is advisable to disclose the details to avoid misunderstandings as a public figure, as it is the duty of a public servant."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 22:55:14
  • Seoul Mayoral Candidates Focus on Youth Engagement
    Seoul Mayoral Candidates Focus on Youth Engagement Seoul mayoral candidates Jung Won-o of the Democratic Party and Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party both engaged with young voters on May 18, aiming to capture the support of a demographic with a significant number of undecided voters. Jung held an event titled "Jung Won-o Goes: Interviewing Seoulites, Episode 9 - Youth Living in Seoul" in the afternoon at Cheonggyecheon in the Gwanghwamun area. The event was designed to hear the challenges faced by young people living in Seoul and included participation from a newlywed couple running a small sewing factory, startup representatives, and young individuals involved in urban planning. After listening to the attendees, Jung stated, "Seoul should not just be a city that survives but one that plans for the future and allows its residents to feel hopeful based on their hard work," promising to develop tailored support policies. Following the event, he moved to the front of Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu to announce his housing pledges for youth and newlyweds. His proposals include expanding the number of youth rent support recipients to 50,000, providing 10,000 affordable homes for newlyweds, and supplying 30,000 public rental units, along with 50,000 dormitory and shared housing units for young people. On the same day, Oh visited the Yeongdeungpo campus of the Seoul Youth Employment Academy with Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the National Assembly from the People Power Party, to meet with young trainees. The Seoul Youth Employment Academy is an educational institution established by the city of Seoul and the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) to train professionals in digital fields, including artificial intelligence (AI), and connect them with job opportunities. Ahn remarked, "Oh is focusing on the current youth generation, and he expressed his commitment to creating excellent programs for young people in Seoul that can be expanded nationwide to improve our country. I felt his sincerity here." Oh emphasized to the attendees, "In the AI era, it is crucial to cultivate the abilities of young people to help them secure jobs and start businesses, which is vital for the competitiveness of future Seoul." He pledged to make efforts to secure advanced talent that the city needs amid rapidly changing technological advancements. Oh also announced separate pledges related to youth employment. In his "Quality of Life Special City: Seoul Economy and Job Pledge," he stated that he aims to create an average of 985,000 jobs annually from next year through 2030. To support this initiative, the city will invest 200 billion won to establish a 4 trillion won "Next Economy Seoul Fund," which will be used to transform Seoul into five major hubs for advanced and creative industries.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 21:00:00
  • Jung Won-oh Proposes Housing Solutions for Youth and Newlyweds
    Jung Won-oh Proposes Housing Solutions for Youth and Newlyweds Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, announced on May 18 that he plans to reduce initial costs for newlywed housing and expand rent support for young people. During a press conference in front of Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Jung unveiled his "Three Major Housing Stability Measures for Youth and Newlyweds." According to his proposal, 10,000 affordable homes for newlyweds and 30,000 public rental units will be made available. The affordable homes will include equity accumulation, profit-sharing, and land lease types to lower initial costs. The equity accumulation model allows buyers to pay 15-25% of the equity upfront and then acquire the remaining shares over 20-30 years while adjusting rent and lease terms as needed. An additional budget of 800 billion won will increase the number of youth eligible for rent support from 20,000 to 50,000. This funding will be sourced from cuts to projects initiated by Oh Se-hoon’s administration, such as the Han River Bus and the audit of the city’s workforce. Furthermore, Jung plans to provide 50,000 housing units for young people, including 7,000 university dormitories, 20,000 affordable shared housing units with reduced rent, and 23,000 public rental homes. He stated, "We operate a shared housing facility near Hanyang University in Seongdong-gu, which is well-received by students, landlords, and residents alike. We plan to expand this model throughout Seoul." To address the ongoing rental crisis, Jung aims to accelerate housing supply. By next year, he plans to complete the construction of 67,000 units, including 60,000 from redevelopment projects and 7,000 from public rental housing reconstruction, along with 20,000 new purchase rental homes. After the announcement, Jung spoke to reporters regarding the missing rebar issue in the GTX-A section at Samsung Station, asserting, "There is evidence that Oh Se-hoon, the candidate from the People Power Party, is responsible." He criticized attempts to dismiss the issue as a "rebar myth," stating, "Avoiding and hiding from the problem reflects a lack of safety awareness, which is why accidents occur."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 18:20:36
  • Candidates for Seoul Mayor Attend 46th Anniversary of May 18 Democratic Uprising
    Candidates for Seoul Mayor Attend 46th Anniversary of May 18 Democratic Uprising Jeong Won-o, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, and Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, both attended the May 18 Democratic Uprising memorial ceremony on May 18. This marked their first face-to-face meeting since registering as candidates for the June 3 local elections last week. The two candidates attended the 46th anniversary ceremony held on the eighth floor of Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu as special guests. Upon arriving at the venue, both candidates signed the guestbook before entering the ceremony hall to greet attendees. Jeong wrote, "I will carry on the spirit of May in a Seoul where citizens are the masters." Oh wrote, "Reflecting on the spirit of May and its sacrifices, I will strengthen democracy on a solid foundation." Seated next to each other in the special guest section, Jeong and Oh exchanged handshakes and brief conversations. They later joined Jeong Geun-sik and Han Man-jung, candidates for Seoul education superintendent, to lay flowers and pay their respects. This was the first time the two candidates met face-to-face since submitting their registration documents to the Seoul Election Commission on May 14, the first day of candidate registration. The ceremony was attended by key lawmakers from both parties, lending support to the candidates. From the Democratic Party, notable attendees included Jin Sung-jun, co-chair of Jeong's campaign committee, Kim Nam-geun, head of the first policy division, and Lee Jeong-heon, the spokesperson and head of the public relations team. The People Power Party's leadership, including floor leader Song Eon-seok, policy committee chair Jeong Jeom-sik, and secretary general Jeong Hee-yong, were also present, with party leader Jang Dong-hyuk visiting Gwangju directly.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 13:26:10
  • Negative Campaigning Intensifies in Seoul Mayor Race Ahead of Local Elections
    Negative Campaigning Intensifies in Seoul Mayor Race Ahead of Local Elections As the nationwide local elections approach on May 31, the race for Seoul mayor is heating up. Negative campaigning surrounding alleged mistakes and controversies has intensified, increasing tension among candidates. Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate, targeted Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, over a construction issue involving missing rebar in the GTX-A line at Samseong Station, which occurred during Oh's tenure as mayor. During a visit to the construction site, Jung criticized the situation as a reflection of the city’s irresponsible safety oversight. He questioned when Oh first learned of the construction deficiencies and what actions he took, raising suspicions of a cover-up due to the delay in reporting the issue to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Jung's campaign labeled the incident as a "reporting omission of the GTX construction failure" and asserted that the city bears responsibility for the problems arising from the construction. Lee In-young, the head of Jung's campaign committee, held a press conference at the National Assembly, demanding that Oh explain whether he concealed the issue during his time as mayor and warned that legal accountability may be pursued if necessary. In response, Oh denied the allegations of covering up the construction failures and escalated his counterattacks by announcing a pledge to eradicate alcohol-related violence. After unveiling his housing promises for young people at his campaign office, Oh stated, "Upon investigation, it turns out that Hyundai Engineering & Construction acknowledged the mistake and reported it themselves; I only learned about it yesterday." He dismissed the cover-up allegations, suggesting that Jung's campaign appears to be on the defensive. Later in the day, Oh announced the "Zero Alcohol Violence Project," which aims to implement a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol-related misconduct among city officials, targeting a past incident involving Jung from 1995 when he was an aide to the mayor of Yangcheon District. The People Power Party also joined the fray, filing a counter-complaint against Democratic Party lawmakers for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act. Earlier, Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-kyo and others accused Jung of assaulting a female employee who refused to stay overnight. Joo Jin-woo, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, announced on his Facebook that Seo's initial complaint reignited the controversy over Jung's alleged coercion, emphasizing the need to thoroughly investigate the claims. The ruling party has vowed not to back down. Lee In-young condemned the "shameless black propaganda" against Jung and stated that three complaints have already been filed, assuring that there will be no cover-up after the elections.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-17 16:40:20