Oh Se-hun narrows gap with Jang Dong-hyuk…Han Dong-hun's 'alternative monopoly' shaken

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hun's acquittal in the appellate trial is bringing a new phase to the power competition in conservative circles.

According to political circles on the 27th, Mayor Oh said to party leader Jang on the 26th at the 47th memorial service for the late President Park Chung-hee held at Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, "Thank you for continuously calling for giving up the appeal." To this, party leader Jang responded, "It's a natural duty as party leader."

Earlier, party leader Jang had made a congratulatory call directly after Oh's acquittal on the 23rd in the appellate trial regarding the "suspicions of Myeong Tae-gyun opinion poll expenses paid on his behalf." On social media, he urged prosecutors to give up the appeal, saying "justice will prevail."

The two clashed publicly over party management direction and election strategy during the June 3 local elections. In particular, Mayor Oh demanded party leader Jang's resignation when Rep. Han was expelled, taking a confrontational stance.

However, during the trial process, party leader Jang actively protected Mayor Oh, and Mayor Oh directly expressed his gratitude, drawing attention to whether the relationship between the two will change.

There is also an atmosphere of expanding Mayor Oh's political influence within the party.

When the appellate judgment was announced on the 23rd, 13 People Power Party members and 14 incumbent members including Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party gathered at the Seoul High Court. Not only the existing "pro-Oh Se-hun faction" but also figures with different political backgrounds such as Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, Rep. Kim Seok-ki, and Rep. Yi Man-hee participated together.

On the 26th, Mayor Oh held a dinner at the mayor's official residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul with 8 People Power Party members and Rep. Lee Jun-seok. Participants reportedly asked Mayor Oh to become a "strong support" and "big tree" for conservative circles. Mayor Oh emphasized the importance of conservative unity and securing public sentiment in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Additional dinners are planned on the 27th with members who could not attend the previous day.

Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun said on SBS Radio's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show" on the 26th that Mayor Oh is a "strong presidential candidate" and that he is "of a different caliber than party leader Jang Dong-hyuk."

This movement is drawing attention to the fact that members burdened by party leader Jang's hardline stance but negative about Rep. Han's return to the party now have a new option in Mayor Oh.

Within the People Power Party, Rep. Han had been mentioned as a key figure when discussing alternatives to party leader Jang. However, as Mayor Oh broadened his scope of political activity with an appellate acquittal, the political choices of members not belonging to either party leader Jang or Rep. Han have expanded.

On the other hand, Rep. Han is actively emphasizing the possibility of cooperation with Mayor Oh.

On the 25th, Rep. Han said on KBS's "Sunday Diagnosis" that Mayor Oh is "someone we should work together with and move forward with for the victory of conservative circles." Regarding the possibility of solidarity, he stated, "We have never let go of our hands."

However, when asked by reporters on the same day whether he is actually communicating with Rep. Han, Mayor Oh avoided a direct answer, saying "I will refrain from making political comments."

Additionally, Rep. Lee Jun-seok, who has maintained a friendly relationship with Mayor Oh, continues to attack Rep. Han.

On the 23rd, Rep. Lee criticized Rep. Han, calling him a "vulgar legal technician," and on the 26th said "there shouldn't be someone who always schemes behind the scenes like this." He raised concerns about Rep. Han's remarks and conduct when the Myeong Tae-gyun suspicions were raised, expressing a negative stance on conservative unity.

However, Mayor Oh has not directly rejected solidarity with Rep. Han. Mayor Oh emphasizes the necessity of conservative unity, and Rep. Yoon and former Rep. Yoo Seung-min also advocate for comprehensive unity encompassing party leader Jang, Rep. Han, and Rep. Lee.

Ultimately, whether Mayor Oh's political return will become a new opportunity for solidarity for Rep. Han or serve as an occasion to narrow his independent position as an alternative to party leader Jang is emerging as a key variable in future conservative realignment.