[Herald Economy senior reporter Park Jong-il] At the launch of Seo Gang-seok’s campaign headquarters and the opening of his campaign office, lawmakers, party branch chairs and city and district councilors from the People Power Party gathered to form a united “one team” and formally endorse Seo’s bid for Songpa District mayor.The event took place at Seo’s campaign office in Songpa-dong at 2 p.m. on the 9th. Attendees included Bae Hyun-jin, chair of the People Power Party’s Seoul chapter; Park Jeong-hoon, the People Power MP for Songpa-gap; Kim Geun-sik, chair of the Songpa-byeong party branch; and numerous People Power city and district councilors, all there to support Seo ahead of the June 3 local elections.
Roughly 1,500 Songpa residents packed the venue. The crowd maintained a charged atmosphere, repeatedly chanting “Seo Gang-seok” throughout the program.
In his remarks, Seo said he took the stage with a heavy heart because many residents love the party yet still offer sharp criticism. He stressed, however, that he brings a fierce determination and a burning resolve to win.
Seo also noted that he was the first of Seoul’s 25 district mayors to step down from office and take to the field, responding to residents who want Songpa protected from what they describe as the Democratic Party’s overreach. He urged voters to block the Democratic Party’s excesses in the June 3 election.
Seo criticized the Lee Jae-myung administration’s real estate policies, including the land-transaction permit system, higher property taxes, and moves to abolish the special long-term holding deduction. He argued that supply is not limited to building new apartments; putting existing homes on the market also expands supply. He said the current administration has choked supply by blocking reconstruction and preventing homeowners from listing properties. That suppression pushes prices higher, prompts official land values and taxes to rise, and restricts freedom of movement. Seo called on voters to hold the administration accountable at the ballot box.
In a congratulatory video, Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon credited Seo’s tenure with bringing significant changes to Songpa and said Jamsil is poised for transformation. He highlighted the planned Jamsil Sports MICE complex, predicting it will drive dramatic change over the next four years and accelerate Songpa’s development. “If Songpa wins, Seoul wins,” Oh said, urging voters to defend Seoul and remember Songpa’s progress.
In the first formal address, Bae Hyun-jin said the People Power Seoul campaign does not need to flaunt its size by parading more than 30 lawmakers like the Democratic Party. “Voters already know how capable candidates such as Oh Se-hoon and Seo Gang-seok are,” she said. When Bae asked whom voters should elect to continue supply-focused apartment reconstruction, local redevelopment, and tax-relief policies — initiatives she and local partners have pursued across generations — the audience answered in unison: “Seo Gang-seok.”
Park Jeong-hoon, in his remarks, said turnout was so strong the opening could have been held at Jamsil Stadium. He described the gathering as a sign that organizers and supporters were moving past primary disputes and uniting behind Seo’s campaign.Kim Geun-sik urged residents to defend the Songpa mayor’s office so they can deliver a clear “yellow card” to the Lee Jae-myung administration. He said he is confident because Songpa voters reaffirmed their support for Seo during the primary, and he appealed for everyone to join forces to secure Seo’s victory.
During a “June 3 victory” performance, Seo, Bae, Park and Kim stepped forward, clasped hands with city and district council candidates, raised their arms and pledged to win — prompting enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
