Seongdong District chief ascends in Seoul mayoral race as Oh Se-hoon faces legal hurdles

Seongdong District Chief Chong Won-o speaks during an interview with the Hankook Ilbo at Seongdong District Office in Seoul, April 15. Korea Times photo by Ha Sang-yun

The race for Seoul mayor — among the most closely watched contests in next year’s June 3 local elections — is entering a volatile stretch, as leading contenders from both major parties gain momentum while confronting new political hazards.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon speaks during a press briefing at Seoul City Hall, Dec. 2. Yonhap

Within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), Seongdong District Chief Chong Won-o has vaulted to the forefront in a field of at least eight potential contenders. At the same time, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) faces fresh uncertainties after being indicted without detention on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.

Within the DPK, a diverse range of candidates is emerging, including Reps. Park Hong-keun, Seo Young-kyo, Park Ju-min, Kim Young-bae, Jeon Hyun-heui, as well as former lawmakers Park Yong-jin and Hong Ihk-pyo.

Chong, who is currently serving his third term as Seongdong District chief, recently became more prominent in internal polls, closing the gap with the frontrunner, Park Ju-min and establishing himself as a strong contender for the party’s nomination. His rise adds another layer of complexity to what is already one of the party’s most crowded primary battles.

President Lee Jae Myung recently praised Chong on social media for earning a 92.9 percent constituent satisfaction rating. The president, once a highly rated mayor himself, noted that his own former 80.6 percent approval “could not compare,” prompting Chong to thank Lee for the unexpected commendation. But the timing and context of the compliment — ahead of the mayoral election — triggered sharp political backlash.

Rep. Na Kyung-won of the PPP, floated as a potential contender for her party’s nomination although she has not confirmed her plans, denounced the remark as “a pointed signal of election meddling that openly elevates a single contender ahead of next year’s Seoul mayoral race.”

Within the PPP, Oh was widely expected to seek another term in office, with party officials signaling their support for maintaining continuity at the Seoul Metropolitan Government. However, this outlook changed after the mayor was indicted last week on political funding charges by prosecutors investigating the Kim Keon Hee special counsel case. This has made the ruling party’s selection process more unpredictable.

Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during an overseas trip, Oh criticized the DPK contenders for what he described as one-sided attacks on his policies. He pointed to the city’s Hangang Bus initiative as an example of what he saw as unfair criticism. The service has experienced several disruptions in recent months, including multiple mid-river stoppages that raised questions over its safety and maintenance.

At the same time, he acknowledged Chong’s recent rise in the polls, noting that the district chief had taken a “different stance” from other opposition candidates. Oh emphasized that reducing long-standing disparities between northern and southern Seoul and strengthening the city’s competitiveness would remain central themes throughout the remainder of his term.

Political strategists from both parties say that the battle will not be confined to Seoul, with tight contests expected in Gyeonggi Province, Incheon, Daejeon, Sejong and Gangwon. Nevertheless, the mayoral race in the capital remains the most significant of all, with early shifts in support, legal complications and an unusually crowded field beginning to shape the months ahead.

According to the National Election Commission, candidate registration for the 2026 local elections will take place on May 14 and 15, followed by early voting on May 29 and 30.

With the DPK seeking to reclaim Seoul in its first nationwide election since the beginning of the Lee Jae Myung administration and the PPP determined to defend its strongest foothold, the capital is expected to become the country's most fiercely contested battleground.