Seoul mayor attends National Assembly event, fields questions after remarks

'PPP gives people comfort when it shows unity, not division,' Oh says

Oh also attends Buddhist rite at Jingwansa temple, Itaewon crush memorial

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon arrives at Seoul High Court in Seocho-gu on Friday and heads to the courtroom. [Yonhap]
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon arrives at Seoul High Court in Seocho-gu on Friday and heads to the courtroom. [Yonhap]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited the National Assembly on Saturday and said the People Power Party must present itself as a unified force ahead of the next general election.

"A general election is approaching. The PPP will give comfort to the people when it shows unity and cohesion rather than division," Oh said, responding to reporters' questions after delivering congratulatory remarks at a sports day event for photojournalists' families held at the Assembly.

The appearance came one day after Oh was acquitted on appeal Friday in a political funds law violation case, dramatically escaping the loss of his mayoral seat.

Oh also took aim at the ruling party. "The Lee Jae Myung government is causing the public a great deal of concern over real estate and many other issues," he said, adding that the PPP must "become a party that presents alternatives with unified strength."

"To that end, I will do my utmost to bring together those who may think a little differently or hold different philosophies," he added.

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok and floor leader Han Byung-do, as well as PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok and Secretary-General Jeong Hui-yong, also attended the event.

Oh also attended the Gukhaeng Suryukjae, a traditional Buddhist rite held at Jingwansa temple in Eunpyeong-gu.

The Gukhaeng Suryukjae is a traditional Buddhist ceremony with roots in the Joseon Dynasty, held to pray for a world in which all living beings — across ethnic and national boundaries — are respected and coexist in peace.

"This year's theme, 'The whole world is one family,' carries a profound teaching that all life is interconnected and that no one's suffering is unrelated to us," Oh said. "Seoul will continue building a warm and dependable community that upholds the dignity of every citizen and does not turn away from neighbors in desperate need."

Oh was set to attend a memorial ceremony Saturday evening marking the fourth anniversary of the Itaewon crowd crush, to honor the victims and console bereaved families. He was also scheduled to attend a stone-donation ceremony by Sweden at the Garden of Gratitude in Gwanghwamun Square.

Even before Friday's sentencing hearing, Oh had kept to his regular schedule, visiting the Seoul Arena construction site in Changdong, Dobong-gu.


soohan@heraldcorp.com