Seoul Mayor Delays Candidacy as Ruling Party Battles Nomination Reform Ahead of Elections

Seoul’s mayor Oh Se-hoon has again postponed his candidacy filing, a move that triggered the resignation of the ruling party’s nomination-management chair, Lee Jeong-hyeon, and intensified calls inside the party for an early, reform-focused Innovation Campaign ahead of local elections.

Lee Jeong-hyeon said he believed in change and gave his best, but ultimately concluded he could not push the party in the direction it was pursuing. He cited broader concerns about the nomination process and the broader “unregistered candidacy” fiasco as part of what led to his decision to step away, and he did not attend the party’s nomination committee meeting.

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk said he would speak with Oh Se-hoon, noting that Oh’s phone had been turned off during the dispute and signaling discomfort with the current process. He stressed that “nomination is the lifeblood of fairness” as the party grapples with the situation.

Despite the upheaval, officials said there could still be room for additional filings or strategic nominations, depending on the competitiveness of the race. The party signaled openness to options if they could help strengthen the field for the local elections.

Inside the party, factions are pressing for the leadership to accept Oh’s push for an early, reform-oriented Innovation Campaign Committee and for the party leadership to step back from the frontline in favor of a broader consensus. Some lawmakers argued that the party must respond to Oh’s demands to avoid further damage to its standing.

Speculation has grown that Kim Jong-in, the veteran party strategist and former campaign chief, could be named to lead the proposed Innovation Campaign Committee, following reports of Oh’s meeting with him.

Senior lawmaker Kwon Young-se urged Oh to run in the party’s primary and to act with responsibility, saying the candidate should come forward through the proper process and that the party must meet its obligations to the electorate.

A party-wide poll shows a sharp erosion of support for the ruling party, with about 70% expressing unfavorable views. As local elections approach—roughly 80 days away—the pressure on the leadership to resolve the nomination dispute and present a unified slate is growing.

Why this matters to the United States: Seoul governs a major global tech and manufacturing hub, and the outcome of Korea’s local elections can influence economic policy, investment climate, and governance standards that affect multinational companies operating in Korea. Political stability in Seoul also shapes the country’s ability to coordinate on security and alliance priorities with the United States, including technology policy, supply chains for semiconductors and electronics, and regional diplomatic posture. The way Seoul manages its local leadership and reforms can signal how Korea balances reform with continuity, with potential implications for markets, policy, and U.S.-Korea cooperation.