Park Soo-young, a lawmaker from South Korea's ruling People Power Party, held a press conference on September 9, 2023, addressing Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon about his decision not to apply for candidacy in the upcoming local elections. Park urged Oh to reconsider his stance and highlight that by confronting challenges head-on, particularly against weak opponents, he could reclaim his political influence and recognition within the party. Park stressed that it is crucial for the party to fight against the administration of Lee Jae-myung, the opposition leader, framing the upcoming elections as critical to the survival of both the country and the party's conservative values.

In his remarks, Park emphasized the need for the party to unite and shift to a ‘campaign mode’ before the elections, focusing on restoring core conservative values such as democracy, market economy, and community spirit. He criticized internal divisiveness within the party and called for members to redirect their energy toward the opposition, abandoning divisive rhetoric that undermines party unity. This rallying cry aims to revitalize the party at a time when it is facing significant pressure from the growing influence of the opposition.

Finally, Park acknowledged the limited time before the elections and stated that a significant change in strategy or leadership would not be feasible at this stage. Instead, he advocated for the party to unify against common political foes and to stop squabbling internally, asserting that its resilience in the elections is pivotal for a successful political comeback and the reinforcement of conservative principles in South Korea. His appeal highlights the urgency and potential impact that upcoming local elections could have on the political landscape of the country.