They call for 'conservative unity', but the calculations are different... Zhang·吳·Korea·Lee Dongsangmyong (comprehensive)

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporters Lee Jeong-hyun, Jo Daun, Noh Seon-woong, and Lee Yu-lip = In the wake of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's acquittal in the appellate trial on suspicion of bribery for public opinion polls by Myung Tae-gyun, voices calling for a "grand conservative unity" are growing.

However, it is pointed out that there are many obstacles to overcome in order to achieve integration across the pan-conservative camp due to the large differences in positions between figures representing the factions, such as People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, and New Reform Party lawmaker Lee Jun-seok.

Mayor Oh appears to be implying that in addition to the so-called reform group, Representative Jang Dong-hyuk could also be a target of integration, but Representative Jang and Independent Representative Han Dong-hoon, whose political life and death are intertwined, are still rejecting each other, and Representative Han and New Reform Party Representative Lee Jun-seok, with whom they have had a poor relationship, are showing an attitude that it is difficult to go together.

Meanwhile, as next year's People Power Party convention and the 2028 general election approach, the competition to take the lead within the conservative camp is expected to intensify.

◇ Conservative unity voices within the party: “Zhang, Wu, Korea, and Lee must join hands”… Disagreement on ‘scope of integration’

Recently, in the People Power Party, former lawmakers Yoo Seung-min and Yoon Sang-hyun, who are known to be considering running for the next National Assembly, are openly raising the topic of "conservative unity."

Former lawmaker Yoo said on YTN radio the previous day, "It is very difficult to unify everyone, starting with Representative Jang, Lee Jun-seok, and Han Dong-hoon, but it must be done." He added, "Let's never look to 2030 (when the presidential election is held). Wouldn't each of us compete only after winning the general election in April 2028?"

Five-term lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun also recently urged on SBS Radio, "Han Dong-hoon, Lee Jun-seok, and Jang Dong-hyuk must all go together. That is the grand unification of conservatives."

However, most of the major players except Mayor Oh still find it difficult to sympathize with the argument that 'everyone' should join hands, and are showing the attitude that it may not be realistically possible.

Mayor Oh reportedly had dinner with lawmakers who visited the court on the day of the second trial acquittal the day before and said, "Let's work harder to give hope to many people who are worried about the country by conservatives being good at unification and politics."

However, in a recent media interview, Representative Jang said, "It is not advisable to artificially promote the integration of opposition parties at a specific point in time. I do not think that unconditionally embracing all forces is the best solution," and added, "Even if there is a merger or solidarity, we must clearly set the standard for how far it is possible."

In a recent KBS interview, Assemblyman Han responded to Mayor Oh by saying, "He is a reasonable person and someone we should go with for the victory of the conservative camp," but although direct criticism has decreased toward Representative Jang, he is still unable to narrow the distance.

Representative Lee said on CBS Radio the previous day, "I cannot agree with the conservatives' theory of grand unification," and criticized one member, saying, "The person who threw a grenade in for his own political goal should stand with at least one hand raised," and "I wish the politics of such legalists would disappear."

◇ Wu meal politics, Park Geun-hye luncheon, seminar with Korean leaders… Competition for leadership heats up

Movements by major players to take the lead in the conservative camp also appear to be in full swing.

Mayor Oh, who is evaluated to have risen to the ranks of influential presidential candidates by virtually shaking off judicial risks following his upset victory in the local elections, resumed his 'meal politics' by having dinner with the People Power Party lawmakers who visited the court and supported him on the day of the previous day's sentencing. Representative Lee Jun-seok also attended the banquet the previous day and attracted attention by interacting with People Power Party members.

Mayor Oh is also scheduled to attend an event hosted by the People Power Party of Seoul to be held at the National Assembly on the 3rd of next month. This is a discussion forum that deals with the direction of coexistence between preservation and redevelopment of cultural heritage such as Seun District 4 and Taereung.

Next month, Mayor Oh is also planning to have a meal with members of the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee and Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, which conducted the audit of government affairs, and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, which helped defend the ruling party's offensive. This means that he will meet nearly half of the People Power Party lawmakers.

Representative Jang, who has surpassed the record of being the longest-serving party leader and is likely to run for a second term, recently had lunch with former President Park Geun-hye when she came to Seoul to visit her father's grave on the 47th anniversary of her death. Representative Yoo Young-ha disclosed this fact on Facebook that day and said, "(Former President Park) gave Representative Jang a lot of advice and spoke about his mindset as a representative."

Secretary-General Jeong Hee-yong, who was present at the luncheon, told Yonhap News, "He congratulated former President Park on becoming the longest-serving party leader and told her to lead the party well with Representative Jang at the center and keep the ruling party in check for the good of the country. He also said he was concerned that the leftist camp's distortion of history is being taught through movies, etc., and also conveyed his concerns about the current security situation, including North Korea's land mine provocation."

Representative Jang will also visit former President Park Chung-hee's birthplace in Gumi on the 30th. On the 3rd of next month, the party's key projects for next year's budget, which is usually done by the floor leader, will also be announced directly.

An independent lawmaker seeking to return to the 'pro-government' will hold a debate on 'Political Party Reform, What to Do and How to Do It' at the National Assembly Hall on the 3rd of next month, co-hosting with 5-term lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun and Yoon Sang-hyun, who are classified as pro-old mainstream. With next year's general election in mind, he appears to be trying to promote political party reform agenda, including the introduction of 'bottom-up nomination', which he proposed as his political agenda.

Representative Han said in a press release, "We will examine agenda items such as nomination, political party operation, and proportional representation system, and find ways to improve the system." It is reported that a plan to invite Mayor Oh to the debate is also being considered.

One lawmaker said, “Returning the right to nomination to the people is the starting point for political reform that restores trust in political parties.”

Rep. Lee, who recently stepped down from his position as leader of the New Reform Party, appears to be seeking to change the atmosphere and secure space for activities at the same time.

Recently, Rep. Lee has been naturally working with People Power Party members by organizing the Seoul Metropolitan Area Housing Innovation Forum with People Power Party Rep. Jo Jeong-hoon, holding a discussion session, and inviting Mayor Oh and several council members.

It is interpreted that these movements of major players show that the competition for leadership has already begun to prove their presence to the support base ahead of the general elections expected in August next year and next year.