# Seoul Mayoral Race Intensifies with 'Park Won-soon Shadow' Debate: Oh Se-hoon Defends Position vs. Yoon Hee-sook's 'N Housing Units' Attack – Will the Landscape Shift?
## [Background]
The 2026 Seoul mayoral by-election is seen as a crucial turning point, determining whether to extend or end the 'Park Won-soon era' that dominated Seoul's administration for the past few years. Following the sudden absence of former Mayor Park Won-soon, Seoul has experienced confusion amid conflicting voices demanding policy continuity and change. In particular, failures in real estate policy, soaring housing prices, and deepening housing insecurity among the younger generation have fueled public discontent, decisively influencing the formation of public opinion that yearns for fundamental change through this election. Against this backdrop, the People Power Party has set a strategic goal of preventing 'Park Won-soon Season 2' and securing a bridgehead for regaining power. Therefore, this primary is expected to be an important test that gauges the future political fate of the People Power Party, going beyond simply selecting a candidate.
## [Current Situation]
As of April 5, 2026, local time, the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral primary is seeing fierce debate centered on candidate Oh Se-hoon. Oh Se-hoon is emphasizing his experience and drive as mayor, putting 'Park Won-soon Season 2' prevention at the forefront. He is mentioning projects such as Design Seoul and the Han River Renaissance, which he promoted during his past tenure as mayor, arguing that he is the right person to strengthen Seoul's competitiveness. However, rival candidate Yoon Hee-sook is strongly questioning the feasibility of Oh Se-hoon's real estate supply measures, especially the 'N housing units pledge,' and launching an offensive. Candidate Yoon criticizes that the pledge is merely a 'phantom' announced without a concrete implementation plan, and has stated a strong position to conduct a complete re-evaluation and full investigation if elected. In addition, with the possibility of support rallies by Representative Jang Dong-hyuk being raised, Oh Se-hoon is expressing his willingness to show a changed appearance from the past. This is interpreted as being conscious of critical views of his past policies and expressing his willingness to meet changed demands of the times. Various poll results suggest that candidate support rates are showing a mixed picture, and more intense competition is expected in the future primary process.
* Oh Se-hoon Candidate: Prevention of 'Park Won-soon Season 2,' emphasis on mayoral experience, promise to expand real estate supply * Yoon Hee-sook Candidate: Criticism of Oh Se-hoon's 'N housing units pledge,' announcement of full investigation if elected, emphasis on the effectiveness of real estate policies * Representative Jang Dong-hyuk: Possibility of support rallies for Oh Se-hoon, existence of critical views on past policies
## [Multi-faceted Analysis]
This Seoul mayoral primary is an important political event that determines the future direction of Seoul, going beyond simply the competition of individual candidates. Oh Se-hoon's claim to prevent 'Park Won-soon Season 2' is gaining support from conservatives who critically evaluate Seoul's administration over the past few years. However, there are also critical views of his policies during his past tenure as mayor, which may act as an obstacle to expanding his support rate. In particular, real estate policy failure is a problem that follows Oh candidate like a label, and is becoming the target of Yoon Hee-sook candidate's intensive attack. Candidate Yoon Hee-sook is raising her support rate by digging into the loopholes in Oh Se-hoon's pledges through sharp analysis and logical arguments worthy of an economist. Her claim for a full investigation of the 'N housing units pledge' is giving citizens a strong impression of policy transparency and effectiveness, and can stimulate the votes of rational voters. The outcome of this primary is expected to have a major impact on various fields such as Seoul's real estate policy, urban development, and welfare policy. If Oh Se-hoon is elected, there is a high possibility that he will promote new policies that meet the changed demands of the times while inheriting and developing his past policies. On the other hand, if Yoon Hee-sook is elected, a major reform is expected to take place throughout Seoul's administration, and in particular, she is expected to emphasize a market-oriented approach to real estate policy. In addition, there is also an analysis that this primary could exacerbate factional conflicts within the People Power Party. Oh Se-hoon is receiving support from the mainstream forces within the party, while Yoon Hee-sook is evaluated as receiving support from non-mainstream forces, and major changes are expected in the party's power dynamics depending on the outcome of the primary.
## [Future Prospects]
In the future, the Seoul mayoral primary is expected to see more intense debate centered on real estate policy. Oh Se-hoon is expected to focus on concretizing his real estate supply expansion pledge and proving its feasibility. On the other hand, Yoon Hee-sook is expected to continue to attack the loopholes in Oh Se-hoon's pledge and emphasize the excellence of her real estate policy. In addition, the two candidates will present competitive pledges in various fields such as resolving housing insecurity for the younger generation, creating jobs, and improving the educational environment, and will strive to win the votes of voters. In particular, future-oriented policy competition such as solutions to urban problems using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, construction of smart cities, and eco-friendly energy policies is expected to become more intense. Voters will have to carefully compare and analyze the policy pledges of the candidates and make the best choice for the future of Seoul. In addition, the outcome of this primary is attracting attention from the political world in that it can have a major impact on the future presidential election structure. There is also an analysis that the possibility of a change of government may vary depending on who is elected as the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral candidate. Therefore, this Seoul mayoral primary is expected to be an important turning point that determines the future of Korean politics, going beyond a simple local election. In particular, AI can play a role in objectively evaluating the feasibility of each candidate's pledges through data-based analysis and providing useful information to voters. AI's cold analysis will reveal the truth hidden behind emotional election campaigns and help voters make rational judgments.
