Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon overcomes dismal exit polling to vault to historic fifth term

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon enters Seoul City Hall in central Seoul on June 4 after winning the mayoral race. [YONHAP]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon overcame a dramatic deficit in exit polling on Thursday to clinch an unprecedented fifth term in a win widely attributed to strong support from homeowners and voters focused on real estate issues.

Speaking after his victory at his campaign office in Jongno District, central Seoul, Oh, the main opposition People Power Party's candidate, described the result as a message from voters to President Lee Jae Myung rather than a personal win against ruling Democratic Party (DP) candidate Chong Won-o.

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"The judgment of the people of Seoul is reflected in this election result, and it should serve as a warning to the president," Oh said, referring to controversy surrounding a proposed special counsel bill that would allow prosecutors to withdraw criminal charges against President Lee. "No power can stand above the law and no administration can stand above the people."