Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon declared his abrupt decision not to run for president on the 12th, with fellow party candidates expressing their support.
Former Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo, who is set to officially declare his presidential candidacy on the 14th, commented, "Oh's decision not to run is an answer to the concerns of Seoul citizens and shows loyalty to our party."
People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo also said, "I am moved by Mayor Oh's decision," and noted, "This is both a sacrifice to help the party rise from pain and a deep resonance."
Kim Moon-soo, former Minister of Employment and Labor, also released a statement saying, "We regret Mayor Oh's decision not to run for president and respect his painful choice."
Former representative Han Dong-hoon stated, "Mayor Oh is a significant asset of conservatism, maintaining principled positions during the martial law and impeachment vote," adding, "I thought he would be a solid partner in broadening our party's horizons through this primary. I feel a deep sense of regret and want to express my respect for his decision."
Lawmaker Na Kyung-won said, "Although Mayor Oh has paused for a moment, our journey toward a better Republic of Korea and a normal country will not stop."
Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo stated, "I will reflect Mayor Oh's vision of 'regrowth' and 'companionship with the underprivileged' in my vision of 'building a super-first-class Republic of Korea through national restructuring' and make it a reality."
Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok noted, "As a mayor of the metropolitan area, I have always shared policies with Mayor Oh," emphasizing that "'regrowth' and 'companionship with the underprivileged' align with my inclusive growth goals as a working president and the policy objective of creating a society that respects working people."
Lee Jun-seok, a candidate from the Reformist Party, a conservative presidential hopeful, remarked on Mayor Oh, saying, "He has directly practiced the direction of 'opening a space where the younger generation can freely play in conservatism'" and concluded, "I will fully incorporate what Mayor Oh emphasized about 'regrowth' and 'companionship with the underprivileged' onto the stage of the early presidential election to repay him."
Mayor Oh held an emergency press conference at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, on the morning of the same day, saying, "I will not run in this presidential election." Oh had originally planned to announce his candidacy a day later on the 13th.
Oh remarked, "How do you think the public perceives our party, which has entered the presidential phase with everyone aiming to become a candidate, as if nothing happened after the impeachment decision of former President Yoon?" He added, "Over the past week, I could not erase my deep disappointment and concern while observing the party's state."
He went on to say, "I believe that one can only qualify to run for president after sincerely reflecting on past wrongdoings and seeking forgiveness from the public on that basis."