Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who is gearing up for his fifth term election bid, is intensifying his outreach to the public by visiting urban redevelopment sites and proposing measures for improving the economy and residential districts. Although he has not yet made an official declaration of candidacy, his series of policy announcements and public events suggest that he is effectively transitioning into campaign mode. During a recent book concert held in Mapo, Seoul, he reaffirmed his ambition to elevate the city into a global top-five metropolis, while explaining that the timing of his official announcement is contingent upon his responsibilities as the current mayor.

During the book concert, Oh characterized himself as a 'system designer,' emphasizing that leading a city with a population of ten million is fundamentally different from managing smaller organizations. He highlighted the importance of designing functional systems to improve citizen services, using the success of the Dasan 120 call center as an example. Prior to its establishment, addressing complaints in the city was challenging due to bureaucratic barriers, but the introduction of the call center significantly boosted citizen satisfaction from the 40s to nearly 90, illustrating how well-designed systems can enhance public service effectiveness.

Oh further discussed key policy themes such as partnerships with marginalized groups and balanced development between Gangnam and Gangbuk districts. He also addressed the public's perception of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), thanking opposition lawmaker Jeon Hyun-hee for bringing it into discussions regarding the landmark's role in urban branding. The event, which structured interactions around his newly published book, faced scrutiny as some questioned whether it was an implicit campaign event, but Oh clarified that it was organized by the publishing house, asserting his commitment to respect his current mayoral duties.