Seoul Mayoral Candidate Jeong Won-o Meets Foreign Press, Proposes Resuming Beijing-Tokyo Cooperation
DPP Seoul mayoral candidate Jeong Won-o shared his vision with foreign media, pledging to revive 'BESETO' (Beijing-Seoul-Tokyo) city diplomacy, offer tax breaks to global companies, and boost K-POP infrastructure if elected.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 18:21
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 18:31 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 02:49 (56h 17m after Collected)
(Central News Agency, reporter Yang Chi-fang, Seoul, 16th) South Korea's local elections will be held on June 3. Jeong Won-o, the ruling Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul Mayor, stated in an interview with foreign media today that if elected, he will resume pushing for "BESETO cooperation" among the three capitals of Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Former Seongdong District Mayor Jeong Won-o recently emerged from within his party as the Democratic Party's Seoul mayoral candidate. The opposition People Power Party has not yet confirmed its candidate, though the most likely contender is current Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. According to a JTBC poll on the 14th, Jeong is currently leading all potential candidates from the People Power Party.
Jeong attended a forum hosted by the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club today. He remarked that Seoul is already a city receiving global attention, noting that the background of the Oscar-winning "K-pop Demon Hunter Girl Group" is Seoul, and the BTS boy band recently performed at Gwanghwamun. "Seoul is the capital of economy and culture, and my goal is to treat the tourism industry as a growth engine."
Jeong proposed three major platforms. He stated that if elected Seoul Mayor, he will restore cooperation between Seoul, Beijing, and Tokyo, reviving "BESETO" shuttle diplomacy. He noted that while BESETO cooperation has existed for over 30 years since 1993, it has not been consistently active due to political and economic issues.
Jeong emphasized that South Korean presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung previously held talks with Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. "South Korea-Japan relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, and now is the best time to restart exchanges between Seoul and Beijing. Located between Beijing and Tokyo, Seoul possesses the geographical, political, and economic position to act as a hub and mediator."
He pointed out that he had engaged in dialogues with local officials from Beijing and Tokyo in the past. "I believe communication at the local government level is relatively easier than at the national or metropolitan level. Because Tokyo, Beijing, and Seoul are capitals, I assume there will be some pressure, but I will be the one taking the initiative to knock on the doors of the other two cities."
Furthermore, Jeong proposed that, positioning Seoul as Asia's economic capital, his administration would offer tax breaks and family visa incentives to attract global companies to set up operations. In addition to the existing core areas of Gwanghwamun, Gangnam, and Yeouido, he plans to develop new core commercial districts in Cheongnyangni, Wangsimni, Sinchon, and Hongdae to inject new vitality into Seoul's economy.
Jeong also mentioned that if elected, he would build Seoul into Asia's cultural capital leading global trends. He plans to expand cultural and artistic infrastructure, including K-POP performance venues, and strongly support cultural workers and creators. "Seoul will become the world's premier center for content, beauty, fashion, food, and culture and arts."
Former Seongdong District Mayor Jeong Won-o recently emerged from within his party as the Democratic Party's Seoul mayoral candidate. The opposition People Power Party has not yet confirmed its candidate, though the most likely contender is current Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. According to a JTBC poll on the 14th, Jeong is currently leading all potential candidates from the People Power Party.
Jeong attended a forum hosted by the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club today. He remarked that Seoul is already a city receiving global attention, noting that the background of the Oscar-winning "K-pop Demon Hunter Girl Group" is Seoul, and the BTS boy band recently performed at Gwanghwamun. "Seoul is the capital of economy and culture, and my goal is to treat the tourism industry as a growth engine."
Jeong proposed three major platforms. He stated that if elected Seoul Mayor, he will restore cooperation between Seoul, Beijing, and Tokyo, reviving "BESETO" shuttle diplomacy. He noted that while BESETO cooperation has existed for over 30 years since 1993, it has not been consistently active due to political and economic issues.
Jeong emphasized that South Korean presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung previously held talks with Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. "South Korea-Japan relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, and now is the best time to restart exchanges between Seoul and Beijing. Located between Beijing and Tokyo, Seoul possesses the geographical, political, and economic position to act as a hub and mediator."
He pointed out that he had engaged in dialogues with local officials from Beijing and Tokyo in the past. "I believe communication at the local government level is relatively easier than at the national or metropolitan level. Because Tokyo, Beijing, and Seoul are capitals, I assume there will be some pressure, but I will be the one taking the initiative to knock on the doors of the other two cities."
Furthermore, Jeong proposed that, positioning Seoul as Asia's economic capital, his administration would offer tax breaks and family visa incentives to attract global companies to set up operations. In addition to the existing core areas of Gwanghwamun, Gangnam, and Yeouido, he plans to develop new core commercial districts in Cheongnyangni, Wangsimni, Sinchon, and Hongdae to inject new vitality into Seoul's economy.
Jeong also mentioned that if elected, he would build Seoul into Asia's cultural capital leading global trends. He plans to expand cultural and artistic infrastructure, including K-POP performance venues, and strongly support cultural workers and creators. "Seoul will become the world's premier center for content, beauty, fashion, food, and culture and arts."