Oh’s decision causes political ripples

By Park Si-soo

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s decision to stake his post on the result of the disputed referendum on the city’s free school lunch program has thrown the local political world into chaos.

Opposition parties denounced Oh’s decision, calling it a “political show” to mislead people to vote against the existing program in which all primary school students in Seoul would receive free lunches. They say the mayor is trying to capitalize on the referendum to bolster his feeble support base in the ruling Grand National Party (GNP).

The GNP also openly expressed its regret over the decision, indicating that it was not the result of a consensus between the mayor and key GNP members.

“The upcoming referendum is not to decide whether Oh will maintain his mayorship,” said GNP spokesman Kim Ki-hyun in a media briefing. “Our party cannot accept the idea that links the vote result to his life as mayor.”

Kim said the GNP will keep trying to win the referendum regardless of Oh’s decision and, if defeated, any resultant political turmoil is to blame on opposition parties’ orchestrated campaigns to boycott the vote, which experts say is crucial in mapping out the country’s welfare policies.

Sources in the GNP said Oh made the decision despite opposition from GNP Chairman Hong Joon-pyo and floor leader Hwang Woo-yea.

Yet, following Oh’s announcement, Hwang switched to a supportive mode saying, “In respect of Oh’s decision, the GNP should do its best to win in the referendum. We will pour all resources available into the race.” Chairman Hong was not immediately available for comment.

Lee Yong-sup, a spokesman for the main opposition Democratic Party, called on Mayor Oh to stop deceiving Seoul citizens.

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“Oh should stop playing brinkmanship to bolster his political profile,” Lee told reporters. “He first encouraged people (to vote against the program) by making it clear that he will not run in the presidential election next year. This is the second tactic of this kind.”

Earlier, Oh, made it clear he will not run on the GNP ticket in the 2012 presidential election. He said he needed to clear up misunderstandings about his candidacy because the issue has been damaging the referendum’s pure purpose and his sincerity.

Oh has argued that providing free lunches to all students is a “populist” policy weighing on government finance, while opposition parties claim poor students receiving free lunches could be stigmatized at school.