Seoul Mayoral Race: Oh Se-hoon Leads, Park Joo-min, Cho Kuk, Kim Min-seok Emerge as Strong Contenders
Oh Se-hoon Poised for Re-election in Seoul Mayoral Race as Liberal Field Solidifies into Three-Way Battle
As the local elections slated for June 3rd of next year draw closer, the landscape of the Seoul mayoral race is beginning to take shape. Mayor Oh Se-hoon is enjoying a commanding lead in various polls, establishing himself as the clear frontrunner among conservative candidates. Meanwhile, in the liberal camp, Representatives Park Joo-min, Cho Kuk, and Kim Min-seok are emerging as the top three contenders, signaling a fiercely contested race. Given that this Seoul mayoral election marks the first nationwide vote since President Lee Jae-myung took office, the outcome is expected to significantly influence the future direction of the nation's political affairs. Consequently, all political parties and the political sphere as a whole are closely monitoring the election, anticipating intense strategic maneuvering and policy debates.
Recent polling data clearly illustrates this dynamic. In a survey conducted from October 28th to 29th, 2025, among 1,000 adults residing in Seoul, Mayor Oh Se-hoon garnered 27.5% support among conservative candidates, securing a dominant first-place position. While Representatives Na Kyung-won and former party leader Han Dong-hoon followed with 12.1% and 9.3% respectively, the gap between them and Mayor Oh Se-hoon was significant. This is attributed to Mayor Oh Se-hoon's stable city administration during his previous term and the consolidation of support from the conservative base. In contrast, Representative Park Joo-min led the liberal field with 12.4% support, but the margins between him and Cho Kuk (11.7%) and Kim Min-seok (10.3%) were narrow, suggesting the potential for significant shifts in the race as the competition unfolds. The absence of a clear frontrunner in the liberal camp indicates that competition among candidates to secure voter support will intensify.
Backed by his strong support among conservatives, Mayor Oh Se-hoon also appears to hold an advantage in hypothetical head-to-head matchups against liberal candidates. Specifically, in a simulated contest against Representative Park Joo-min, Mayor Oh Se-hoon leads with 46.8% to 42.0%. This indicates that Mayor Oh Se-hoon enjoys considerable support not only from conservatives but also from centrist voters. However, Representative Park Joo-min's support exceeding 40% demonstrates that he is narrowing the gap with Mayor Oh Se-hoon, suggesting a potential for an upset during the election campaign. Moreover, some analysts believe that strong performances from other liberal candidates, such as Cho Kuk and Kim Min-seok, could boost overall support for the liberal camp. Therefore, Mayor Oh Se-hoon's camp needs to maintain its current lead while continuously developing policies and striving to expand its support base.
This Seoul mayoral election is significant not only for selecting the next mayor but also for its potential to gauge the future political landscape of South Korea. As the first nationwide election since President Lee Jae-myung assumed office, the outcome is expected to significantly impact the president's administration and the future realignment of power within the political sphere. Consequently, each party is expected to concentrate all its resources on this election, launching an all-out effort, making fierce competition for voter support inevitable. This election presents a crucial opportunity to address numerous pressing issues across the economy, society, and foreign policy, and to shape the future of South Korea. Therefore, voters are called upon to exercise careful judgment and make informed choices. Each candidate must present a vision to voters through policy debates and propose pledges that will provide tangible benefits to people's lives.
In conclusion, the upcoming Seoul mayoral election is expected to be a fiercely contested race, characterized by Mayor Oh Se-hoon's perceived frontrunner status and the three-way battle among leading liberal candidates. While polling data indicates Mayor Oh Se-hoon's lead, the notable support garnered by liberal candidates suggests the potential for shifts in the race as the election campaign progresses. Given that this election is the first nationwide vote since President Lee Jae-myung's inauguration, its outcome is anticipated to significantly influence the future direction of national politics, with all political parties and the entire political sphere closely monitoring the developments. Therefore, each candidate must present a vision to voters through policy debates and propose pledges that will provide tangible benefits to people's lives, and voters must make careful judgments and choices to shape the future of South Korea.
