Seo Gang-seok, mayor of Songpa District, and Choi Ho-gwon, mayor of Yeongdeungpo District, both completed their preliminary candidate registrations on the 25th, placing their districts under acting-mayor arrangements. ️
On that day Seo registered with the Songpa District Election Commission and formally launched his re-election bid for the 9th term. Under Article 124 of the Local Autonomy Act, a mayor’s duties are suspended upon registration, and the deputy mayor will serve as acting mayor of Songpa until election day.
In his campaign statement, Seo said, “Over the past four years, through creative and innovative governance that treats residents as owners, we have built Songpa into a model residential city, a cultural and arts hub, and a city of gardens.” He added, “I will continue that service-oriented administration for Songpa in the 9th term.”
He also said, “I will work humbly and tirelessly to earn the support of Songpa’s voters,” and emphasized, “Together with residents, I will complete Songpa’s journey to becoming a model city.”
Immediately before registering, Seo used the district’s administrative network to thank public officials and asked them to ensure stable government operations under the acting-mayor arrangement.
That same morning at 9 a.m., Choi Ho-gwon also filed as a preliminary candidate and moved into full campaign mode. As with Seo, Choi’s duties and powers were suspended immediately under Article 124 of the Local Autonomy Act.
From the registration date on the 25th until the election, Deputy Mayor Kim Kwang-deok will serve as acting mayor and oversee Yeongdeungpo’s administration.
With the local elections approaching, more incumbent chiefs are expected to register as preliminary candidates, and acting-mayor arrangements are likely to spread across Seoul’s districts — a development observers say signals that the election season is entering full swing.
