Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said Monday he would seek reelection as the opposition Democratic United Party’s candidate, dispelling rumors that he may form a coalition with former presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo.

Asked on a radio show whether he would join a party which Ahn plans to create, he said, “Whether I like it or not, I am already a member of the Democratic United Party and will be running for mayor again as a DUP member.”

He said, however, he “accepts Ahn’s political philosophy and principles for a new politics.”

Ahn is expected to create a new political party after the April 24 by-elections in which he is running for a parliamentary seat.

In the mayoral by-election in 2011, Ahn gave up his candidacy in support of Park though the former entrepreneur received far higher voter support than the then civic activist.

The mayor joined the DUP last February after winning the election. His term ends in June 2014. Ahn also withdrew his presidential bid last year at the last minute, instead backing DUP candidate Moon Jae-in.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)