Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Set to Run for President Amid Political Shift

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is gearing up to announce his run for president of South Korea. The big reveal is set for April 13, 2025, as the country heads toward a snap election on June 3. This comes after a wild few months that saw former President Yoon Suk Yeol impeached and removed from office over a short-lived martial law stunt he pulled back in December 2024. Oh, stepping into the race is a big deal for South Korea, where politics have been anything but calm lately.

Oh’s a well-known name in the conservative People Power Party (PPP) and has been Seoul’s mayor on and off over the years. He’s built a solid rep for tackling city projects and pushing for fewer rules to get things done. His presidential run comes hot on the heels of the Constitutional Court’s decision on April 4 to back Yoon’s impeachment, which happened after Yoon tried to use martial law to deal with what he called “anti-state forces.” That move sparked huge protests and ultimately got him kicked out, setting the stage for this rushed election.

Oh’s campaign is expected to lean hard into his “Korea Growth Again” (KOGA) plan, a playbook for shaking up the economy that takes a page from the U.S. 's “Make America Great Again” vibe. Word is he’ll make his announcement at a spot that ties into his focus on fixing overlooked social issues, something he’s made a priority as mayor.

Right now, South Korea’s leadership is a bit of a mess. Acting President Han Duck-soo is holding things together after dodging his own impeachment drama. With the election coming up fast, the country’s future, both at home and on the global stage is up for grabs, especially with economic headaches and new U.S. tariff threats from President Donald Trump adding pressure.