Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon vows to carry on Park Chung-hee's spirit at 47th memorial

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended the 47th memorial ceremony for former President Park Chung-hee at Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu on Monday, signing the guest book with the words: "I will carry on the spirit of Park Chung-hee."

Dressed in a black suit and black tie, Oh attended the morning ceremony and laid flowers at the grave site before leaving his message in the guest book. It was his third consecutive year attending since returning to the mayoral post, having also attended in 2024 and last year.

Notably, Oh delivered a memorial address at the ceremony for the first time. Political observers inside and outside the party described the move as somewhat unusual, given that the address has traditionally been given by current or former Assembly members, prime ministers or party leaders — not a sitting Seoul mayor.

An official from Minjok Heunghonghoe, the organization that hosts the ceremony, confirmed it was the first time a sitting Seoul mayor had delivered such an address. A Seoul city official said the appearance was made at the organizer's request.

In his address, Oh said, "On Oct. 26, I once again engrave in my heart the spirit of Park Chung-hee and the weight of that historical responsibility. This year, I miss him all the more alongside the memory of the especially warm and loving Yuk Young-soo." He added, "I will do my utmost so that as the Republic of Korea grows stronger and more prosperous, the quality of life for its people improves as well."

Oh, who was recently acquitted on appeal in a case involving allegations that political operative Myung Tae-kyun paid polling costs on his behalf, exchanged a brief smile and handshake with People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok when the two crossed paths at the ceremony.

A total of 15 guests attended the ceremony, including Oh, Jang, PPP floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik, and lawmakers Na Kyung-won and Lee Jin-suk.