Sang-beom Seo, the head of the Legal Committee of the National Innovation Party and the representative for President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment at the National Assembly, announced his candidacy for the Seoul Guro District Mayor by-election set for the 2nd of next month.
On the 16th, Seo held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Center where he remarked, “The decision of the former Guro District Mayor from the People Power Party, who chose resignation instead of a blind trust, was an act of betraying the residents by choosing personal gain over public duty.” He further stated, “This by-election for the Guro District Mayor is not merely about electing one district mayor; it is a confrontation against unjust practices and outdated customs, and against the insurrectionary forces that still exist in various parts of society.”
He emphasized, “The tenacity to create greater victories through competition is necessary—the purpose of the National Innovation Party competing against the Democratic Party. The Innovation Party’s victory in this election will symbolize the catalyst for a regime change necessary for the normalization of South Korea and the unification of the opposition for a broader victory in the presidential election.”
Regarding his decision to run for the by-election even before a ruling on the impeachment trial against President Yoon, Seo explained, “I wanted to complete the removal (of President Yoon) before running, but with the candidate registration period approaching and having done all I could as a representative, I decided to run.”
Jang-sik Shin, a member of the National Innovation Party who attended the press conference, said, “Sang-beom Seo is running for Guro District Mayor not just as a lawyer but as a politician aiming to complete both legal and political impeachment.” At a press briefing held at the National Assembly earlier that day, Shin also stated, “The role of an impeachment representative is completed, and there are no remaining tasks for me as a legal professional.”
Seo also mentioned in a press briefing that he personally expects an 8-0 ruling in the impeachment trial, considering it a given. “As the people are divided, the Constitutional Court is burdened with scheduling the ruling date. I anticipate that they will announce it during the week to avoid weekend clashes,” he speculated.