KOREA WHO
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Mayor of Seoul
Oh Se-hoon
Four-Term Seoul Mayor Defies Party, Fifth-Term Uncertain
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Last Updated on Feb 10, 2026
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Mayor of Seoul
Life Summary
Oh Se-hoon is the Mayor of Seoul.
Ahead of the June 3 local elections, he was mentioned as the most likely next Seoul mayor candidate from the conservative camp, but he took on legal risks after being indicted by a special prosecutor investigating Kim Keon-hee on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.
He was born on January 4, 1961, in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
He graduated from Seoul Daeil High School, entered the College of Law and Political Science at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and later transferred to the College of Law at Korea University.
After passing the 26th Judicial Examination, he worked as an environmental lawyer and became widely known by hosting television programs.
After joining politics at the suggestion of Lee Hoi-chang, then chairman of the Grand National Party, he ran in Seoul’s Gangnam Eul constituency and entered the National Assembly in 2000.
He retired from politics after choosing not to run in the 17th general election, but later ran in the 2006 Seoul mayoral election and won.
He succeeded in winning a second term as Seoul mayor, but after staking his position on a referendum related to free school meals in Seoul and the referendum failing, he resigned midway after just one year.
He returned to office as Seoul mayor after winning the 2021 by-election, marking his comeback after 10 years.
Throughout his political journey, he has shown the temperament of a gambler, making bold and decisive choices. Because of this, he has at times caused damage to his party or the conservative camp, leading to criticism that he can be reckless.
#OhSehoon #SeoulMayor #SeoulPolitics #SouthKoreaPolitics #ConservativePolitics #LocalElections #PoliticalProfile #KoreanPoliticians #LegalRisk #PoliticalCareer
Ahead of the June 3 local elections, he was mentioned as the most likely next Seoul mayor candidate from the conservative camp, but he took on legal risks after being indicted by a special prosecutor investigating Kim Keon-hee on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.
He was born on January 4, 1961, in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
He graduated from Seoul Daeil High School, entered the College of Law and Political Science at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and later transferred to the College of Law at Korea University.
After passing the 26th Judicial Examination, he worked as an environmental lawyer and became widely known by hosting television programs.
After joining politics at the suggestion of Lee Hoi-chang, then chairman of the Grand National Party, he ran in Seoul’s Gangnam Eul constituency and entered the National Assembly in 2000.
He retired from politics after choosing not to run in the 17th general election, but later ran in the 2006 Seoul mayoral election and won.
He succeeded in winning a second term as Seoul mayor, but after staking his position on a referendum related to free school meals in Seoul and the referendum failing, he resigned midway after just one year.
He returned to office as Seoul mayor after winning the 2021 by-election, marking his comeback after 10 years.
Throughout his political journey, he has shown the temperament of a gambler, making bold and decisive choices. Because of this, he has at times caused damage to his party or the conservative camp, leading to criticism that he can be reckless.
#OhSehoon #SeoulMayor #SeoulPolitics #SouthKoreaPolitics #ConservativePolitics #LocalElections #PoliticalProfile #KoreanPoliticians #LegalRisk #PoliticalCareer