Oh Se-hoon
Oh Se-hoon (Korean: 오세훈, Hanja: 吳世勳; born January 4, 1961) is a South Korean lawyer-turned-politician who is serving as the mayor of Seoul from 8 April 2021. He previously served as a member of the National *embly of South Korea from 2000 to 2004, and the mayor of Seoul from 2006 to 2011.
Contents
- 1 Personal history
- 2 Conduct
- 2.1 Arts
- 2.2 DDP
- 2.3 LGBTQ rights
- 2.4 Seoul City Water Project
- 2.5 WikiLeaks
- 3 Electoral history
- 4 Writings
- 5 References
- 6 External links
Personal history
Oh was born in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. He graduated from Daeil High School and went on to study at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. He graduated from Korea University's School of Law and became a lawyer. In 2000, Oh was elected as a member of the 16th National *embly of South Korea.
On July 1, 2006, Oh began his first term as the mayor of Seoul. Oh was reelected for his second term in 2010 and is the expected winner of the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election.
Oh had spent time in London, United Kingdom as a fellow at the Graduate School of Social Science and Public Policy at King's College London, focusing on major cities around the world seeking ways to create jobs and help promote economic growth.
In the 21st parliamentary election at Gwang-jin district, he lost to Ko Min-jung who is a political rookie.
He is Catholic and his baptism name is Stephen.
Conduct
Arts
Oh was involved with the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, participating in a celebration video for the organization alongside foundation chairman Park Bum-Shin and Seoul Arts Director Ahn Eun-Mi.
DDP
Dongdaemun Design Plaza was constructed during his tenure.
LGBTQ rights
When asked about the Seoul Queer Culture Festival during the 2021 Seoul mayoral race, Oh has stated that, "In a broader spectrum, the principle is that the rights of minorities, including sexual minorities, must be protected and there should be no discrimination." He further went on to say, "I think the debate was on the queer festival being held in the central area near City Hall and Gwanghwamun Plaza, and the city of Seoul has a special committee to make a decision, and there are rules to that as well."
Seoul City Water Project
Although most Seoul residents choose to drink bottled mineral water, it has been reported that Oh Se-hoon not only vouches for, but drinks the city tap water. Encouraging Seoul residents to drink tap water and reduce dependence on bottled water, as well as publicizing the cleanliness of Seoul tap-water has been a pet project for Oh.
Seoul City has recently put forward new regulations on tap-water and the focus has gone from not just safe water but water that tastes great.
WikiLeaks
In a do*ent released by WikiLeaks, it was reported that in Oh's discussion with Alexander Vershbow in 2006 he stated that a merger between the Grand National Party and the Democratic Party would be beneficial to the GNP.
Electoral history
Writings
- 가끔은 변호사도 울고싶다 (When a Lawyer Wants to Cry) by Oh Se-hoon (Myeongjin Publishing, October 1995) ISBN:89-7677-030-7
- 우리는 실패에서 희망을 본다 (Failure Offers Seeds of Hope) by Kang Won-taek, Kim Ho-ghi, Oh Se-hoon, and Lee Young-jo (Hwanggeumgaji Publishing, August 2005) ISBN:89-8273-930-0
References
External links
- 이명박+오세훈은? "소비에트식 콘크리트 아파트!", Korean editorial article critical of Oh's and Lee Myung-bak's urban and environmental policies (in Korean)