| Alma Mater: | Busan Women's College Pusan National University |
| Office: | Mayor of Busanjin District |
| Termstart: | 1 July 2018 |
| Party: | Democratic |
| Predecessor: | Ha Gye-yeol |
| Termend1: | 30 June 2014 |
| Termstart1: | 1 July 2006 |
| Office1: | Member of Busanjin District Council |
| Birth Date: | 25 September 1967 |
Seo Eunsuk (; born 25 September 1967) is a South Korean politician serving as the mayor of Busanjin District of Busan and its first woman mayor from July 2018.[1]
Seo, along with Buk District Mayor Jeong Myeong-hui and Geumjeong District Mayor Jeong Mi-yeong, was elected as the first woman mayor of their respective district in Busan in the 2018 election[2] where 13 out of 16 autonomous districts/counties of Busan, including Busanjin District, have their first mayors not from People Power Party or its preceding parties.[3] [4]
Seo previously served as a member of the district legislature from 2006 to 2014. During her first term from 2006 to 2010, she served as the only democratic member of the Busanjin District Council[5]
In the 2018 election, Seo defeated Kim Yeong-wook from the main opposition party who served as a three-term member of Busan Metropolitan Council.[6]
In 1989 Seo was the president of the student union of her college, Busan Women's College, the only women's university outside of Seoul Capital Area. In 2002 she was the secretary-general of an organisation consisted of members from civil societies supporting Roh Moo-hyun's presidential campaign and led by then-lawyer Moon Jae-in. After losing her election in 2014, she worked for then-Mayor of Seoul Park Won-soon as one of his special advisors on policy.[7]
Seo holds two degrees - a bachelor in English language and literature from Busan Women's College and a master's in ethics from Pusan National University where she also completed a doctorate programme on ethics.[8]
| Election | Year | Post | Party Affiliation | Votes | Percentage of votes | Results | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th Local Election | 2006 | Member of Busanjin District Council (proportional representation) | Uri Party | 29,078 | 18.74% | Won | |
| 5th Local Election | 2010 | Member of Busanjin District Council | Democratic Party (2008) | 7,228 | 35.83% | Won | |
| 6th Local Election | 2014 | Member of Busan Metropolitan Council from Busanjin District 2nd district | New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) | 18,427 | 41.74% | Lost | |
| 7th Local Election | 2018 | Mayor of Busanjin District | Democratic Party | 89,399 | 50.1% | Won |