Oh Se-hoon

South Korean politician

He is Catholic and his baptismal name is Stephen.

In 2000, Oh was elected as a member of the 16th National Assembly. During his tenure, Oh was involved with the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, participating in a celebration video for the organization alongside foundation chairman Park Bum Shin and Seoul Arts Director Ahn Eun Mi. Unreliable source: reason=Self published blog

In 2012, Oh spent time in London, United Kingdom as a fellow in the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy at King's College London, focusing on major cities around the world and seeking ways to create jobs and help promote economic growth. In the 21st parliamentary election at the Gwang jin district, he lost to Ko Min jung, a political newcomer.

In 2021, he won the People Power Party primaries to become the party candidate for the Seoul mayoral by election. He later won the election, defeating Democratic Party nominee Park Young sun with 57.5 percent of the votes. He began his third term on April 8, 2021. In September 2023, Oh met with New York City mayor Eric Adams in Manhattan, to deepen the cultural and economic ties between Seoul and New York City. This was his first official trip representing Seoul on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting. Dongdaemun Design Plaza was constructed during his tenure.

Although most Seoul residents choose to drink bottled mineral water, it has been reported that Oh Se hoon not only vouches for, but drinks the city tap water. Encouraging Seoul residents to drink tap water and reduce dependence on bottled water, as well as publicizing the cleanliness of Seoul tap water has been a pet project for Oh. Seoul City has recently put forward new regulations on tap water and the focus has gone from not just safe water but water that tastes great. From 2006 to 2011, Oh announced that he would make Seoul a city of water, and carried out the Han River Renaissance project to build riverside bike paths and Sebitseom floating islands on the southern bank of the Han by Banpo Bridge. Because he had initiated so much water related initiatives, when severe floods occurred in 2011, 2022 and 2023, he was criticized with a nickname of Oseidon, a combination of his name and Poseidon.

When asked about the Seoul Queer Culture Festival during the 2021 Seoul mayoral race, Oh has stated that, "In a broader spectrum, the principle is that the rights of minorities, including sexual minorities, must be protected and there should be no discrimination." He further went on to say, "I think the debate was on the queer festival being held in the central area near City Hall and Gwanghwamun Plaza, and the city of Seoul has a special committee to make a decision, and there are rules to that as well."

Oh Se hoon supports South Korea acquiring nuclear weapons in order to counter North Korea. In March 2023, during an interview with Reuters, he said that "we've come to a point where it is difficult to convince people with the logic that we should refrain from developing nuclear weapons and stick to the cause of denuclearisation".

In a leaked diplomatic cable, it was reported that in Oh's discussion with Alexander Vershbow in 2006 he stated that a merger between the Grand National Party and the Democratic Party would be beneficial to the GNP.

ElectionYearPostParty AffiliationVotesPercentage of votesResults16th General Election2000Member of National Assembly from Seoul Gangnam District BHannara Party64,516 59.39%Won4th Local Election2006Mayor of SeoulHannara Party2,409,760 61.05%Won5th Local Election2010Mayor of SeoulHannara Party2,086,127 47.43%Won20th General Election2016Member of National Assembly from Seoul Jongno DistrictSaenuri Party33,490 39.72%Lost21st General Election2020Member of National Assembly from Seoul Gwangjin District BUnited Future Party51,46447.80%LostBy election2021Mayor of SeoulPeople Power Party2,798,77857.50%Won8th Local Election2022Mayor of SeoulPeople Power Party2,608,27759.05%Won