Oh Se-hoon Concludes Campaign with Economic Focus from Garak-dong to Dongdaemun

Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul Mayor, wrapped up his official campaign on June 2 at the Dongdaemun wholesale market. He began his campaign on May 21 at the Garak-dong agricultural and fishery wholesale market, declaring his intent to "revitalize Seoul's economy" and concluded by promoting his vision of making the city one of the world's top three cities.

After touring the wholesale market area, Oh spoke with reporters in front of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) fashion mall, stating, "This election has been a great opportunity for my personal growth." He reflected, "I was confident I knew everything about Seoul, but as I traveled through its corners, I realized there were areas I had overlooked. I am determined to create an inclusive Seoul that embraces those who are struggling and can move toward the future." This marked the conclusion of his 13-day campaign.

His choice to end the campaign at the Dongdaemun wholesale market, where economic activity continues late into the night, mirrors his campaign's beginning at the early-morning agricultural market. Oh greeted merchants, inquiring about their business and expressing curiosity about new sales channels, such as online clothing sales through personal broadcasts. He emphasized, "This election is a crossroads for whether Seoul, the heart of South Korea, can become a 'city of quality of life' or face stagnation and regression. Please give me the opportunity to protect Seoul and lay the groundwork for it to rise as one of the world's top three cities."

While his campaign began and ended with a focus on the economy, Oh also engaged with citizens throughout various neighborhoods in Seoul. His campaign itinerary was designed to cover a wide range of areas rather than focusing on specific districts. Notably, since launching his "88-hour infinite responsibility campaign" on May 30, he has been energetically traversing the city in a spiral pattern. A member of his campaign team noted, "Compared to past elections, this campaign has been much more intense and tightly scheduled."

On the final day of his campaign, Oh visited 13 districts in Seoul, concluding with a rally near Sinchon Station, an area popular with young people. He appealed for support while presenting his vision of making Seoul a top global city. During his last rally, he became emotional while listening to a story from a young person who benefited from the city's representative youth policy, "Seoul Run."

After the final rally, he moved to the Garden of Gratitude in Gwanghwamun Square to spend time with supporters. He expressed his appreciation, saying, "When I started, the campaign was heavily tilted against me, but thanks to your support, we have reached a nearly equal footing." He added, "Some candidates have suggested demolishing this space if elected, but I ask you to vote for me tomorrow to protect this Garden of Gratitude. I will ensure that this place remains meaningful for the next four years."

Meanwhile, in response to Democratic Party candidate Jeong Won-o's emphasis on safety throughout the campaign, Oh remarked, "Safety is the most fundamental value of urban administration. It was disappointing to see Jeong use safety as a political tool during this election. I have invested significant effort in this area, and seeing Jeong focus solely on safety during the short campaign period raises questions about his readiness to lead a global city like Seoul."