Seoul Bridge Collapse: A Major Wildcard in the Race for Mayor

Translation result.■ To the Seosomun overpass collapse site 鄭 “Accident response and rescue come first” 吳 “We will focus all efforts on rapid relief”The collapse of the Seosomun overpass in Seodaemun District on the 26th has emerged as a major late wildcard in the Seoul mayoral race. Both leading candidates suspended campaign activities immediately and urged a swift and orderly response.Jeong Won-oh, the Democratic Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor, visited the scene and said, “I came hoping we can minimize casualties and complete rescue operations quickly. I believe accident response and rescue must come first.” He called on construction officials and the Seoul metropolitan government to do everything necessary to manage the situation.Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party’s candidate, also paused campaigning after learning of the collapse. He urged, “I want the city and relevant authorities to spare no effort on rapid relief measures to prevent loss of life,” and stressed the need to secure the safety of on-site workers and residents so the incident can be fully resolved.Both parties have largely refrained from public finger-pointing and are closely monitoring rescue and recovery efforts. Jeong Cheong-rae, a Democratic Party leader, canceled a scheduled campaign stop in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, and returned to Seoul. Jang Dong-hyuk, campaigning in Mapo District, moved to the party’s central office in Yeouido to oversee the response.The Democratic Party and the People Power Party announced they will suspend upbeat campaign events featuring music and coordinated choreography for the time being. Jeong Won-oh’s campaign issued an internal notice immediately after the incident instructing staff not to link the accident to campaign activities or use it to attack opponents.Political observers say the accident could become a significant campaign issue. Safety concerns have surfaced at several major construction sites across Seoul — including the Seosomun overpass and the Samseong Station segment of the GTX-A line — putting candidates’ safety-management and crisis-response credentials on the line. The Democratic Party has pressed the city over alleged cover-ups related to missing rebar in the GTX-A Samseong Station segment, framing the episode as evidence of Oh’s alleged disregard for safety. The People Power Party has countered, arguing that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport failed to verify reports and bears responsibility, and insisting there were no prior safety warnings.