Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, claimed on May 21 that President Lee Jae-myung has initiated a government-backed election campaign to support Jung Won-oh, urging voters to protect Seoul.
During his official campaign launch at Cheonggye Plaza that evening, Oh stated, "As Jung's approval ratings fluctuated, they fabricated a 'rebar rumor,' and now even the president has stepped in."
His comments were directed at President Lee's instruction to relevant ministries to conduct safety inspections and investigations regarding the missing rebar in the construction section of the GTX-A line at Samsung Station. Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, has been attacking Oh, blaming him for the incident.
Oh remarked, "Seeing Jung, who was chosen by the president, struggling, it seems there’s an after-service from the president. I ask the citizens of Seoul to help keep the president's spirit alive."
Oh also criticized Jung for refusing to participate in debates, saying, "This election is truly difficult. Meeting for a debate feels harder than 'picking stars from the sky.'"
He emphasized that all citizens of Seoul are suffering due to the real estate failures of the Lee Jae-myung administration and urged, "Please help us protect Seoul."
Earlier that morning, Yoo Seung-min, a former lawmaker who accompanied Oh on his first campaign schedule, also took the stage at the launch event to request support. Yoo stated, "Jung is a subordinate of President Lee, and he will never oppose the president even if he goes down the wrong path." He added, "The president will tighten loans, impose taxes, and refrain from redevelopment and reconstruction, yet Jung will remain silent."
Yoo praised Oh for his ample experience and capabilities, urging supporters to increase his approval ratings by 1% each day until the night of June 2.
Meanwhile, Oh began his campaign at the Garak-dong Agricultural and Fishery Wholesale Market in Songpa District at midnight and concluded his first day of campaigning by meeting citizens at Gangnam Station after the launch event.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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