Lunch vote fells Seoul mayor
Source: Agencies |
August 27, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
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THE mayor of South Korea's capital Seoul quit yesterday after losing a vote on who should be entitled to a free school lunch, becoming the biggest name from the ruling conservatives to fall as the opposition gears up for next year's elections.
Welfare, job creation and the growing wealth divide are shaping up as the key issues ahead of next year's presidential and parliamentary votes, putting the liberal opposition in a strong position against the pro-big business conservatives.
Oh Se-hoon, the ambitious mayor of the megacity home to 10.6 million, had put his job on the line in a bid to stop what he called excessive and destructive welfare. Oh was also considered a possible candidate to run for the presidency for the Grand National Party.
"Excessive welfare will be certain to bring tax increases or put a heavy burden on future generations," the telegenic Oh said at a news conference announcing his resignation. "Or it will do both."
Residents of Seoul voted on Wednesday in support of free lunches for all schoolchildren, rejecting Oh's argument that only the children of less wealthy parents should receive a state-provided meal.
The opposition Democratic Party, which favors greater welfare spending, says such a system highlights the divide between the haves and have-nots, and stigmatizes the poor.
Next year's elections will be the first time in 20 years that presidential and legislative polls have been conducted in the same year.
A by-election to fill Oh's position will be held in October, providing a final readout on how both parties are doing ahead of the parliamentary vote next April.
Welfare, job creation and the growing wealth divide are shaping up as the key issues ahead of next year's presidential and parliamentary votes, putting the liberal opposition in a strong position against the pro-big business conservatives.
Oh Se-hoon, the ambitious mayor of the megacity home to 10.6 million, had put his job on the line in a bid to stop what he called excessive and destructive welfare. Oh was also considered a possible candidate to run for the presidency for the Grand National Party.
"Excessive welfare will be certain to bring tax increases or put a heavy burden on future generations," the telegenic Oh said at a news conference announcing his resignation. "Or it will do both."
Residents of Seoul voted on Wednesday in support of free lunches for all schoolchildren, rejecting Oh's argument that only the children of less wealthy parents should receive a state-provided meal.
The opposition Democratic Party, which favors greater welfare spending, says such a system highlights the divide between the haves and have-nots, and stigmatizes the poor.
Next year's elections will be the first time in 20 years that presidential and legislative polls have been conducted in the same year.
A by-election to fill Oh's position will be held in October, providing a final readout on how both parties are doing ahead of the parliamentary vote next April.
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