Oh Se-hoon
Oh Se-hoon (Korean: 오세훈, Hanja: 吳世勳; born January 4, 1961)[2] is a South Korean politician who is currently the serving Mayor of Seoul since 8 April 2021. He also previously served as a member of the National Assembly of South Korea from 2000 to 2004, and the mayor of Seoul from 2006 to 2011. Oh is a lawyer by profession.
Oh Se-hoon | |
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오세훈 | |
![]() Oh Se-hoon in 2020 | |
Mayor of Seoul[1] | |
Assumed office 8 April 2021 | |
President | Moon Jae-in Yoon Suk-yeol |
Preceded by | Park Won-soon |
In office 1 July 2006 – 26 August 2011 | |
President | Roh Moo-hyun Lee Myung-bak |
Preceded by | Lee Myung-Bak |
Succeeded by | Park Won-soon |
Member of the National Assembly | |
In office 30 May 2000 – 29 May 2004 | |
Preceded by | Hong Sa-duk |
Succeeded by | Gong Sung-jin |
Constituency | Gangnam 2nd (Seoul) |
Personal details | |
Born | Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea | 4 January 1961
Political party | People Power |
Other political affiliations | Bareun Party (2016–2018) Liberty Korea Party (2018–2020) |
Spouse | Song Hyeon-ok |
Children | Oh Joo-won (daughter) Oh Seung-won (daughter) |
Residence(s) | Seoul, South Korea |
Alma mater | Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Korea University (LL.B., LL.M., J.D.) |
Profession | Politician Lawyer |
Religion | Roman Catholic (Christian name : Stephen) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() Army Security Command |
Years of service | 1988–1991 |
Rank | ![]() |
Oh Se-hoon | |
Hangul | |
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Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | O Sehun |
McCune–Reischauer | O Sehun |
Personal history
Oh was born in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. He graduated from Daeil High School and went on to study at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. He graduated from Korea University's School of Law and became a lawyer. In 2000, Oh was elected as a member of the 16th National Assembly of South Korea.
On July 1, 2006, Oh began his first term as the mayor of Seoul. Oh was reelected for his second term in 2010. In 2021, he was the winner of the Seoul mayoral by-election, beginning his third term on April 8, 2021.
Oh had spent time in London, United Kingdom as a fellow at the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy at King's College London, focusing on major cities around the world seeking ways to create jobs and help promote economic growth.
In the 21st parliamentary election at Gwang-jin district, he lost to Ko Min-jung who is a political rookie.[3]
He is Catholic and his baptism name is Stephen.
Conduct
Arts
Oh was involved with the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, participating in a celebration video for the organization alongside foundation chairman Park Bum-Shin and Seoul Arts Director Ahn Eun-Mi.[4][5]
DDP
Dongdaemun Design Plaza was constructed during his tenure.[6]
LGBTQ rights
When asked about the Seoul Queer Culture Festival during the 2021 Seoul mayoral race, Oh has stated that, "In a broader spectrum, the principle is that the rights of minorities, including sexual minorities, must be protected and there should be no discrimination." He further went on to say, "I think the debate was on the queer festival being held in the central area near City Hall and Gwanghwamun Plaza, and the city of Seoul has a special committee to make a decision, and there are rules to that as well."[7][8]
Nuclear weapons
Oh Se-hoon supports South Korea having Nuclear weapons, In March 2023 he called for it.[9][10]
Seoul City Water Project
Although most Seoul residents choose to drink bottled mineral water, it has been reported that Oh Se-hoon not only vouches for, but drinks the city tap water.[11] Encouraging Seoul residents to drink tap water and reduce dependence on bottled water, as well as publicizing the cleanliness of Seoul tap-water has been a pet project for Oh.
Seoul City has recently put forward new regulations on tap-water and the focus has gone from not just safe water but water that tastes great.
WikiLeaks
In a document released by WikiLeaks, it was reported that in Oh's discussion with Alexander Vershbow in 2006 he stated that a merger between the Grand National Party and the Democratic Party would be beneficial to the GNP.[12][13]
Electoral history
Election | Year | Post | Party Affiliation | Votes | Percentage of votes | Results |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
16th General Election | 2000 | Member of National Assembly from Seoul Gangnam District B | Hannara Party | 64,516 | 59.39% | Won |
4th Local Election | 2006 | Mayor of Seoul | Hannara Party | 2,409,760 | 61.05% | Won |
5th Local Election | 2010 | Mayor of Seoul | Hannara Party | 2,086,127 | 47.43% | Won |
20th General Election | 2016 | Member of National Assembly from Seoul Jongno District | Saenuri Party | 33,490 | 39.72% | Lost |
21st General Election | 2020 | Member of National Assembly from Seoul Gwangjin District B | United Future Party | 51,464 | 47.80% | Lost |
By-election | 2021 | Mayor of Seoul | People Power Party | 2,798,778 | 57.50% | Won |
8th Local Election | 2022 | Mayor of Seoul | People Power Party | 2,608,277 | 59.05% | Won |
Writings
References
- "역대서울시장".
- "About the Mayor". Archived from the original on 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- "[광진을] "정말 어려운 싸움"... 고민정의 0.5%p 차 '매운맛' 승리". 오마이뉴스 (in Korean). 2020-04-16. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
- Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture
- Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture
- 전명훈 (2021-04-02). "오세훈 "DDP, 추진할 때 욕먹었지만 이젠 서울의 명소"". 연합뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-04-17.
- Ko, Jun-tae (February 23, 2021). "What Seoul mayor candidates have to say on LGBTQ festival". Korea Herald.
- Sohn, Kook-hee (February 21, 2021). "野 후보 4인도 뛰어든 퀴어축제 논란, 박영선·우상호 침묵". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). joins.com.
- "South Korea needs nuclear weapons, says influential Seoul mayor". The National. 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- Shin, Hyonhee (2023-03-13). "Exclusive: Seoul mayor calls for South Korean nuclear weapons to counter threat from North". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- "Seoul City holds 2nd Arisu Festival to show tap water is safe to drink". Newsworld. Archived from the original on 2011-05-01.
- "SEOUL MAYOR OH SE-HOON'S VISION: A NEW SEOUL (06seoul3370)" (in Korean and English). WikiLeaks. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
Continuing on the discussion of domestic politics, the Mayor said that while a merger between the GNP and the Democratic Party (DP) would be beneficial to the GNP, it would be difficult and not happen soon.
- Park (박), Jong-chan (종찬) (2011-09-21). 오세훈 위키리크스 첫 등장 "민주당과 통합이 한나라당 도움". The Hankyeoreh (in Korean). Retrieved 2011-10-14.
External links

- 이명박+오세훈은? "소비에트식 콘크리트 아파트!", Korean editorial article critical of Oh's and Lee Myung-bak's urban and environmental policies (in Korean)