(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kwon Hee-won = With Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's second trial acquittal, the battle for leadership in the conservative camp between Mayor Oh, independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, and former New Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok is expected to intensify in the future.
The conservative camp's view of the competition between 'Ohhani' is filled with expectations that they will compete in good faith, attract national attention, and lead the expansion into the middle class.
Mayor Oh, who is evaluated as having raised his position within the conservative camp by shaking off 'judicial risk', is sending out a message that we must unite regardless of faction within the camp.
Regarding solidarity with Assemblyman Han and former Representative Lee, Mayor Oh emphasized on the 7th, "Conservative unity where they can all work together to create synergy is absolutely necessary."
In particular, he praised one lawmaker, saying, "He is fighting well these days and is an asset to the conservative party whose strength can be multiplied if we work together."
Mayor Oh mentioned the general election when he visited the National Assembly on the 24th, the day after the second trial verdict, and said, "I will give comfort to the people when the People Power Party appears united and integrated rather than divided."
It is a statement that can be read as meaning that we should unite to win the general election, not only with Rep. Han Dong-hoon and former representative Lee Jun-seok, but also with representative Jang Dong-hyuk, who had a conflict in the last local election.
There is also an interpretation that this means that he emphasized unity in the form of 'embracing everyone' rather than excluding specific forces within the camp, and indicated his will to serve as the 'central axis' of conservative unity.
Even within the People Power Party, an atmosphere of support for cooperation with Mayor Oh can be sensed.
When asked about ways to cooperate with Mayor Oh, who mentioned 'party unity' at a press conference at the National Assembly on the 26th, People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeong-sik said, "Currently, it is the Seoul Metropolitan Government that is most opposed to the Lee Jae-myung administration's real estate policy," and added, "I always intend to cooperate with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Mayor Oh on necessary matters."
Mayor Oh plans to have a dinner next week with People Power Party lawmakers and New Reform Party lawmaker Lee Jun-seok, who visited the court to cheer during the appellate trial on the 23rd. In addition, it was reported that they were planning to have a meal with the People Power Party members of the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee and the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee who conducted a government audit for the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Representative Han appeared on KBS' 'Sunday Diagnosis' that day and said of Mayor Oh, "I think he is a very reasonable person, and I think he is someone who should join forces and go together for the victory of the conservative camp." When asked whether there were claims that they should join hands, he answered, "We have never let go of our hands."
Regarding Rep. Han's remarks that day, there is an interpretation inside and outside the party that Rep. Han, who is seeking reinstatement, is signaling his intention to increase the pie in the conservative camp by forming alliances with Mayor Oh, a potential rival.
While former representative Lee actively expresses solidarity with Mayor Oh, he appears to be blocking the possibility of solidarity with Assemblyman Han.
Former CEO Lee, who has maintained a close relationship with Mayor Oh since working in his campaign during the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election, even visited the court in person on the day of Mayor Oh's second trial.
In addition, after the sentencing, he wrote on Facebook, "I congratulate Mayor Oh Se-hoon on his restoration of honor, and we will discuss with greater speed the issues of Dongtan, such as the issue of increasing the number of metropolitan buses that require consultation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the full opening of the GTX-A."
On the other hand, regarding Rep. Han, he appeared on YTN radio's 'Jang Seong-cheol's News Hall' on the 23rd and explicitly criticized him, saying, "He is a shallow legal engineer. There is a saying that he resembles people he dislikes. The person who was originally a very good sniper was former representative Hong Jun-pyo. I think we are going in a similar direction."
Given this atmosphere, an interpretation is raised that the 'competition for leadership' within the conservative camp, which is linked to future political schedules such as the election of the next party leader, the 2028 general election, and the 2030 presidential election, has begun to heat up.
In addition, with various political variables such as each of these people's positions inside and outside the party, their relationship with the People Power Party faction including Representative Jang Dong-hyuk, and future political schedules intertwined, there are predictions that a triangle of cooperation and checks will unfold between them in earnest.
