Jung Won-O, a candidate from the Democratic Party running for the Seoul mayoral position, has publicly criticized the current Seoul mayor, Oh Se-Hoon, for his signature project, the ‘Garden of Gratitude’. During a press briefing at Seoul City Hall, he emphasized that for Seoul to compete with major cities such as Tokyo, Singapore, and Shanghai, it must become an economic and cultural capital of Asia. He argued that the city should be led by the citizens' needs, rather than the whims of its mayor, pointing out that the ‘Garden of Gratitude’ was more of a political initiative rather than a citizen-requested project.

Furthermore, Jung highlighted the legal complications surrounding the ‘Garden of Gratitude’ project, noting that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport had issued a stop order due to violations in the project’s procedures. This has raised concerns among citizens regarding the taxes already invested in a project that may not proceed as planned. Jung also stressed the importance of citizen satisfaction with public policy and questioned the mayor’s priorities when it comes to public spending.

In addition to addressing the ‘Garden of Gratitude’, Jung expressed intentions to reevaluate other mayoral initiatives, such as the Han River Bus, emphasizing the importance of safety. He asserted that if the safety of the Han River Bus cannot be assured, alternatives must be considered, possibly for tourism purposes. Jung also proposed a comprehensive housing supply policy, tailored to meet the diverse needs of the populace, which includes types of housing for young couples, low-cost housing, and accommodations for seniors, all aimed at enhancing the livability and security of Seoul’s citizenry.