Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said he did not register for the main opposition party's candidacy for the June local elections within the extended deadline, expressing dissatisfaction with the party leadership's lack of effort to clearly sever ties with ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The mayor did not submit his registration for the Seoul mayoral race by the extended deadline, citing concerns over the party leader's vague stance on calls to distance the party from Yoon.
The former president is currently jailed on insurrection charges related to his failed martial law bid in December 2024.
Oh told reporters after an event in central Seoul that he regretted not applying for the party primary or candidacy registration ahead of the local elections today.
The decision comes as the conservative party continues to struggle to regain public support amid an internal rift triggered by Yoon's martial law declaration.
In an apparent effort to recalibrate its stance, the party recently adopted a resolution pledging to distance itself from Yoon and to suspend ethics committee proceedings involving party members during the election period.
Oh argued that the party's attempts to distance itself from the pro-Yoon faction remain insufficient, urging leadership to establish a special committee to overhaul the party and rebuild public trust.
Asked about running as an independent, he said he had never considered such an option and that it will never happen.
He also called for the party leadership to extend the registration period to allow time for reforms, saying he would join the race if such changes are made.
서울시장은 4일 로컬 선거를 앞두고 대 extended deadline에서 더 연장된 마감일 내에 더불어민주당이 아닌 주요 야당인 국민의힘 PPP의 서울시장 선거 예비등록을 하지 못했다고 밝혔다. 당 지도부가 윤 대통령과의 관계를 명확히 끊으려는 노력이 부족하다는 점에 불만을 제기했다.