High Early Voter Turnout: Jung Says "Judgment on Oh Se-hoon's Incompetence," Oh Calls It "Disappointment in Jung Wono"

Jung Wono and Oh Se-hoon Continue Campaigning on the 30th
Contrasting Views on High Early Voting Turnout

As early voting is underway for the 9th nationwide local elections, Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, and Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, offered contrasting interpretations of the high voter turnout. Jung said it reflects the will of citizens to judge Oh, while Oh argued that the result shows voters' disappointment with the current administration and Jung himself.

Jung Won-oh: "Citizens say they can't recall any of Oh's achievements"

On the morning of the 30th, Jung Won-oh began his campaign by meeting hikers at the entrance of Gwanaksan Mountain. He then visited Dongjak-gu and Seongdong-gu, increasing his contact points with citizens. In the afternoon, he held a walking campaign at Jayang Traditional Market in Gwangjin-gu. He also planned to visit areas in the Gangbuk region, including Jungnang-gu, Nowon-gu, and Dobong-gu.

Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party of Korea's Seoul mayoral candidate, is visiting Jayang Traditional Market in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on the 30th, engaging in conversations with merchants. Photo by Yonhap News.

When asked by reporters in Gwangjin-gu about the high early voting turnout, Jung said, "It's an extremely positive and encouraging signal." He added, "It's a figure that reflects citizens' will to evaluate and judge Oh Se-hoon's incompetent 10 years in office, as well as their hope and expectation for new leadership." Jung also conveyed that citizens he met at the campaign site said, regarding Oh's record as mayor, "There isn't anything that stands out in memory."

Regarding suspicions that Oh's camp has been waging an organized smear campaign, Jung said, "It has felt as if organized slander has been carried out by their camp all along." He added, "It's regrettable, but perhaps that's all they can do."

Oh Se-hoon campaigns in Southwest and Gangnam... "No apology for housing policy failures"

On this day, Oh Se-hoon focused his campaign on areas with high foot traffic in the southwestern and Gangnam regions. In the morning, he visited Bulgwangcheon in Eunpyeong-gu, as well as Gayang Marketplace and Bangsin Market in Gangseo-gu. In the afternoon, he visited Yeouido Hangang Park to highlight his achievements with the Hangang Bus project and announce future plans. He was also scheduled to visit Mok-dong in Yangcheon-gu, Guro-gu, and other districts.

On the 30th, Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, is greeting citizens while touring Bangsin Market in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Oh Sehoon Campaign

Regarding the high early voting turnout, Oh explained, "The fact that this early voting rate is higher than ever before indicates that many voters are angry at the failures of this administration." He added, "The complete lack of any apology regarding the failed housing policy is likely what is fueling voters' anger."

He continued, "Meanwhile, I believe that the Democratic Party's nomination of a candidate whose qualifications are in question has left many voters disappointed, and that this disappointment is being reflected in the high turnout."

As of 3 p.m. on the 30th, the early voting rate for the local elections stood at 19.77%. This is 2.39 percentage points higher than the rate at the same time during the 8th local elections four years ago (17.38%). The final early voting rate in that election was 20.62%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.