Seoul mayor vows support for PyeongChang Olympics as he seeks 3rd term in office

All News 18:50 January 30, 2018

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) -- Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon pledged Tuesday to provide support for a successful PyeongChang Winter Olympics next month, including his city's hosting of North Korea's planned taekwondo demonstration, as he effectively declared his mayorship bid for a third time in the June local elections.

"North Korea's participation in PyeongChang Olympics has brightened the Olympic spirit and is an opportunity to ease the prolonged nuclear and missile tensions," Park told a press conference held for foreign correspondents in Seoul. "Since the taekwondo demonstration team will perform in our City Hall, we will provide every support we can to keep the peaceful mood going."

The venue for the North's taekwondo demo team was unexpectedly announced by the mayor. He declined to comment any further on the details of the scheduled performance.

Regarding Pyongyang's abrupt cancellation late Monday of joint events at Mountain Kumgang slated for Feb. 4, the mayor called for a cautious approach in resolving the issue so that it won't undermine the collaboration between the two Koreas.

"Our relationship with Pyongyang is so fragile like pottery, and because of such fragility in our peace with the regime, we need to be more careful and tolerant," he noted.

The 62-year-old former liberal activist envisioned the restoration of what he called the "Seoul spirit as a community" that offers better livelihoods, signaling that he is seeking another four-year term in office.

"Polarization and inequality have become too big and serious a burden for any individual to shoulder," he said. "Which is why we need to rebuild the community that connects people to neighbors and society beyond each individual and family."

Park proposed a "power of social friendship" that would enable solidarity and cooperation among people, stressing that his key policies, such as job creation, are in line with those of the liberal Moon Jae-in government.

"Seoul's next agenda will again focus on people and efforts will be made to transform Seoul into a newer place where everyone lives a good life together."

Some pundits have pointed out that a consecutive third win for Park may be difficult, as competition for the primary is already heating up with at least three other candidates from his party -- the ruling Democratic Party -- having declared as challengers.

"I must admit I'm tensed up about the fact that some influential lawmakers have made their bids," Park said. "I've done my best for the last six years, and I'm thrilled to go through the election again as a gauge of assessment and criticism of my work."

Park came to office in 2011 after winning a by-election as an independent candidate, blazing an unprecedented trail in local politics, where party affiliation plays as an important factor in elections. He was re-elected as the mayor in 2014 and his official second term is due to end this June.