Oh Sehoon Urges President Lee Jaemyung to Take Responsibility for Ballot Paper Shortage

Regarding the unprecedented shortage of ballot papers that emerged during the June 3 local elections, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon directly raised the issue of responsibility with President Lee Jae-myung.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is greeting employees with thanks as he commutes to Seoul City Hall on the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News

Appearing on TV Chosun's "News9" on the 5th, Mayor Oh stated, "This is something that should never have happened," and added, "The President should also feel a heavy sense of responsibility for this issue."

Previously, on the 4th, when the election outcome became clear, Mayor Oh, during a press statement in front of Seoul City Hall, described the shortage of ballot papers as "lamentable" and squarely targeted the President's responsibility. At that time, he remarked, "While it may seem that all criticism is directed solely at the National Election Commission, the ultimate responsibility lies with the President," urging for a fundamental reform of the election management system.

Mayor Oh also made it clear that as soon as his new term begins, he intends to convey this unfiltered public sentiment to Yongsan, both at official cabinet meetings and through informal channels.

He said, "If there is an opportunity to meet the President directly, whether at a cabinet meeting or in a separate one-on-one, I want to deliver the public's honest feelings," pointing out, "The most serious issue right now is the monthly rent and lease market." He went on to warn, "If the current real estate policy stance is maintained, an even greater housing disaster and real estate crisis will hit within the next one to two years," and signaled he would demand a complete change in housing policy direction.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that immediately after the election, Mayor Oh called People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk to express his gratitude. Regarding concerns that it will be difficult to administer city affairs since the Democratic Party now controls over two-thirds of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, he responded, "That, too, is the choice and will of the voters, and I will respect it and strive for cooperative governance."

When asked whether he has plans to run in the next presidential election, he drew a clear line, stating, "Right now, it is not the time to be thinking about a presidential bid." He added, "As a five-term Seoul mayor, I want to focus on elevating Seoul's quality of life and urban competitiveness into the global top three, without hesitation or distraction."

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