Jung emerges as ruling party’s Seoul mayor candidate

Apr 10, 2026, 09:14 am

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Jung Won-oh, Democratic Party Seoul mayoral primary candidate, greets merchants during a visit to Dongwon Market in Jungnang District, Seoul, on April 9. / Song Eui-ju

Jung Won-oh, former Seongdong District mayor, was selected on Thursday as the ruling Democratic Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor, winning a majority in the primary and avoiding a runoff.

According to the party’s election commission, Jung secured over 50% of the vote in a primary that combined 50% party member voting and 50% public opinion polling, defeating rivals Park Joo-min and Jeon Hyun-hee.

In a message posted on social media after his nomination, Jung said, “I thank the citizens of Seoul and fellow party members, as well as Park Joo-min, Jeon Hyun-hee, and the other candidates who competed together.” He added, “A true ‘one team’ is completed only when we move forward together. I will build a better Seoul based on the Democratic Party’s spirit of unity.”

He also pledged, “I will create a city where citizens can truly enjoy life again, not one that exhausts them,” and vowed to “hold accountable what he called a decade of failed leadership under Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and complete the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration in Seoul.”

Jung’s direct nomination is widely attributed to a combination of his proven administrative track record and strong backing from President Lee. In December last year, Lee publicly praised Jung on social media, saying his own record as Seongnam mayor “would not even be comparable,” boosting Jung’s recognition and consolidating party support.

Born in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, Jung was a former student activist who served as propaganda chief of the National Council of Student Representatives. He began his public service career in 1995 and went on to serve three consecutive terms as Seongdong District mayor—the only such case in Seoul.

Within the party, Jung is seen as a candidate capable of appealing to moderate voters. During his tenure, he transformed Seongsu-dong from an aging industrial area into a hub of innovation, introduced Korea’s first anti-gentrification ordinance in 2015, and implemented policies such as mobile electronic entry logs during the COVID-19 pandemic and smart bus shelters.

In 2018, he also gained attention for publicly sharing his personal phone number to directly handle residents’ complaints, earning praise for his communication style.

Jung will face the People Power Party’s nominee in the general election. The conservative party is set to hold its primary on April 16–17, with candidates including incumbent Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Rep. Park Soo-min, and former lawmaker Yoon Hee-sook. The final candidate will be confirmed on April 18.

#Jung Won-oh #Seoul mayor election #Democratic Party