Seoul mayor`s resignation starts prep for next year`s elections

With Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon resigning Friday, a mayoral by-election will be held Oct. 26. The by-election effectively advanced preparation for next year’s general and presidential elections by six months as the former will have huge influence over the latter.

As political circles are expected to be overwhelmed by election issues, the last regular session of the 18th National Assembly next month will be unable to function properly as well.

Both the ruling and opposition parties began full-fledged preparations for the mayoral by-election the same day.

Ruling Grand National Party leader Hong Joon-pyo told a breakfast meeting of Seoul-based lawmakers the same day, “If the party is united in harmony, we can win.”

The party will set up this week a by-election preparation committee led by Rep. Lee Jong-ku, head of the party’s Seoul chapter.

Main opposition Democratic Party chief Sohn Hak-kyu pledged victory in the upcoming by-election at a meeting of party executives the same day, saying, “We will obey the people’s order with modesty and a more humble attitude.”

Mayor Oh told reporters at 11 a.m. at Seoul City Hall, “I will fulfill my responsibility by resigning to prevent political disputes over my fate and minimize the administrative vacuum,” and left office after a farewell ceremony at 5 p.m.

Vice Mayor for Political Affairs Cho Eun-hee, Chief Political Affairs Officer Kang Cheol-won, Public Communications Adviser Hwang Jeong-il, and city spokesman Lee Jong-hyun also tendered their resignations.

Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs Kwon Yeong-kyu will serve as acting mayor from Saturday.

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