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Jeong Eun-oh, preliminary candidate, shaking hands (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Jong-chan = Democratic Party Seoul mayoral preliminary candidate Jeong Eun-oh offered flowers at the memorial monument for the 78th anniversary of the Jeju 4·3 incident victims at Songhyeon Plaza, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 3rd, and is seen greeting officials. 2026.4.3 saba@yna.co.kr

Jeong Eun-oh, former Mayor of Seongdong District, Seoul, was definitively selected as the Democratic Party's candidate for the June 3rd local elections for Seoul Mayor on the 9th, defeating incumbents Jeon Hyun-hee and Park Ju-min (in order of designation).

Soh Byung-hoon, Chairman of the Democratic Party's Election Management Committee, announced the results of the main primary at the Democratic Party headquarters on this day, stating, "Candidate Jeong secured over half of the votes as the top vote-getter, confirming him as the final candidate without a runoff."

Previously, the Democratic Party conducted its main primary from the 7th to the 9th, reflecting party member votes and general public opinion polls at 50% each.

Candidate Jeong is a former three-term Mayor of Seongdong District and entered politics as an aide to then-Member of Parliament Lim Jong-seok in 2000.

He officially entered the field of grassroots local administration after being elected Mayor of Seongdong District in the 6th National Simultaneous Local Elections in 2014 as a member of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy (predecessor to the Democratic Party).

He subsequently won consecutive elections in 2018 and 2022, serving three terms.

The key factor in the rise of former Mayor Jeong as a strong contender for Seoul Mayor is considered to be public praise from President Lee Jae-myung.

In December of last year, President Lee shared an article about a public opinion survey targeting Seongdong District residents on social media, writing, "It seems Mayor Jeong Eun-oh is indeed doing a good job. My satisfaction rating as Mayor of Seongnam was quite high, but it seems I couldn't even compare."

Following this remark, there is an analysis that candidate Jeong gained attention among the party's support base as the so-called 'Myung-pick' (a figure chosen by President Lee), leading to a sharp increase in his approval ratings.

Incumbents Jeon Hyun-hee and Park Ju-min, who competed against candidate Jeong in the main primary, launched focused attacks concerning controversies over promotional materials and remarks comparing Oh Se-hoon and Park Won-soon, but the final victory went to candidate Jeong.

Jeong Eun-oh, preliminary candidate for Seoul Mayor, preparing for a debate (Seoul=Yonhap News) Democratic Party Seoul mayoral preliminary candidate Jeong Eun-oh is preparing for a debate at the 2nd joint debate for Democratic Party Seoul mayoral primary candidates held at a KBS studio in Yeouido, Seoul on the 3rd. 2026.4.3 [National Assembly Photo Reporters] photo@yna.co.kr

Immediately after the primary results were announced on this day, candidate Jeong posted on Facebook, "This does not end with your choice of Jeong Eun-oh. That choice is a stern command to ensure victory in Seoul with a 'united Democratic Party' on June 3rd," adding, "I stand here with a profound understanding of the weight of that will."

He sequentially mentioned the names of Park Ju-min, Jeon Hyun-hee, Kim Young-bae, and Kim Hyung-nam, who participated in the main and preliminary primaries with him, and reiterated the 'one-team spirit' by stating, "Now we are one. A team moves forward together to be truly complete."

He also declared, "We will judge the incompetence of 'Oh Se-hoon's 10 years' and ensure the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration in Seoul." He added, "We will prove the competence of the Democratic Party in Seoul. As the Seoul mayoral candidate for the Lee Jae-myung administration, I will remain dignified until the end and approach this with a humble attitude befitting a Seoul mayoral candidate who changes the lives of citizens."

Jeong Eun-oh, preliminary candidate, participating in a Democratic Party Seoul Mayoral preliminary primary joint debate (Seoul=Yonhap News) Preliminary candidate Jeong Eun-oh is seen waiting for the start of the debate at the Democratic Party Seoul Mayoral preliminary primary joint debate held at JTBC in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 20th. 2026.3.20 [National Assembly Photo Reporters] photo@yna.co.kr

The People Power Party candidate who will face candidate Jeong has not yet been confirmed.

The People Power Party plans to hold a debate on the 10th, and after conducting its main primary reflecting 50% party member votes and 50% general public opinion polls on the 16th-17th, will finalize its candidate on the 18th.

Candidate Jeong is evaluated to have significantly elevated his political standing by being selected as the Seoul mayoral candidate for the ruling party.

There is even speculation that if he wins the main election and becomes Seoul Mayor, he could emerge as a contender for the next presidential election.

However, candidate Jeong has expressed his intention to focus on Seoul's city administration rather than pursuing presidential ambitions through various media interviews during the main primary race.