As the competition for the next leadership in the conservative bloc gained full momentum following Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's acquittal in his appellate trial, People Power Party (PPP) leader Jang Dong-hyeok, Mayor Oh, and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon converged on Yeouido on Tuesday, November 3, vying to take the lead on key issues.

Jang, who has maintained a hardline right-wing stance, directly announced the direction for reviewing next year's government budget proposal, spotlighting livelihood issues, while Oh attended a forum hosted by the PPP Seoul Chapter and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to emphasize the need for "conservative unity."

Han focused on putting the agenda of "bottom-up nominations" on the table.

At 10 a.m. Tuesday, Mayor Oh attended a forum titled "World Heritage Conservation and the Future of Cities: Finding a Path to Coexistence," hosted by the PPP Seoul Chapter at the National Assembly Members' Office Building.

This was Oh's first visit to the National Assembly since he was acquitted of charges of violating the Political Funds Act in his appellate trial on October 23.

The venue, located only about 130 steps away from lawmaker Han's event, drew 38 of the PPP's 109 lawmakers.

Held in the smallest seminar room in the Members' Office Building, the venue was packed to capacity with barely any room to stand.

In addition to Seoul-based lawmakers Kwon Young-se, Na Kyung-won, Cho Eun-hee, Cho Jung-hun, Shin Dong-uk, Kim Jae-sub, Seo Myung-ok, and Park Soo-min, lawmakers including Lee Jong-bae, Cho Bae-sook, Sung Il-jong, Shin Sung-bum, Kim Seok-ki, Kim Jeong-jae, Lee Man-hee, Kim Mi-ae, Kwon Young-jin, Choi Soo-jin, Han Ji-ah, Park Sang-woong, Kim So-hee, Choi Bo-yoon, Lee Dal-hee, and Park Jun-tae were also present alongside Mayor Oh.

In particular, leader Jang Dong-hyeok and Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sig also joined, creating an impressive scene reminiscent of a PPP general meeting of lawmakers.

Oh once again stressed the issue of broad conservative consolidation on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters after the forum, Oh raised his voice, saying, "There is no one I cannot meet, and no one I cannot join forces with," adding, "If we were by any chance to lose in the next general election, we could end up extending this reckless administration that does not even recognize the separation of powers once again."

He continued, "To prevent that from happening, our party must create an internal atmosphere where we can bring together all the strength we have, no matter how small," adding, "Going forward, I will visit and listen to the valuable opinions of anyone in our party, including lawmaker Han."

Around the same time, independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon held a forum titled "Party Reform: What and How to Do It" at the National Assembly Members' Office Building at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

At the event, Han said, "At this point in time, party reform is political reform," noting, "Under the current distorted structure, depending on who seizes party leadership, genuinely electable people are prevented from running while strange individuals end up running. Reforming that is party reform."

He added, "We must dismantle that structure institutionally," stating, "To guarantee predictability (in nominations), 'bottom-up nominations' must be codified into law for political parties funded by state subsidies."

Han has previously proposed bottom-up nominations as a key agenda item for political reform since July.

Political observers analyzed that ahead of the 2028 general elections—some one year and five months away—Han was sending a "do not worry" message aimed at senior lawmakers concerned about potential nomination disadvantages if Han returns to the PPP and takes party leadership.

The forum drew attention as five-term PPP lawmakers Kim Gi-hyeon and Yoon Sang-hyun were listed as co-hosts, and six-term lawmaker Joo Ho-young delivered congratulatory remarks.

Han referred to them as "great senior colleagues," expressing closeness.

Lawmaker Kim explained his participation, saying, "Lawmaker Han called and asked me to join, so I stepped in," while lawmaker Yoon supported Han's reinstatement by stating, "We need a broad consolidation of conservatives and a BTS (Band, Together, Stronger) alliance."

Lawmaker Joo remarked, "Many of those who are loyal to the party leader are generally somewhat lacking. Capable people don't bow their heads and beg for nominations, yet..."

This was interpreted by many as targeting the party's mainstream faction under leader Jang's leadership.

The forum was attended by 20 PPP lawmakers (according to the lawmaker's office tally) and Supreme Council member Yang Hyang-ja, including pro-Han Dong-hoon lawmakers Park Jeong-ha, Bae Hyun-jin, Kim Hyoung-dong, Koh Dong-jin, Ahn Sang-hoon, Han Ji-ah, Kim Gun, and Woo Jae-joon; Cho Eun-hee and Kwon Young-jin, who are close to Mayor Oh; as well as Kim Seok-ki, Lee Man-hee, Shin Sung-bum, and Seo Myung-ok.

Around 10 PPP lawmakers attended both Han's and Oh's events.

Furthermore, lawmaker Seo Myung-ok attended not only both events but also a forum held by the ruling faction that leader Jang attended.

On Tuesday morning, leader Jang announced the PPP's budget proposal for next year at the party's central headquarters in Yeouido.

At the event, Jang stated, "The People Power Party will definitely stop the runaway budget and squandering of taxpayers' money by the Lee Jae-myung administration, which is drowning the Republic of Korea in debt," while announcing plans to increase funding for people's livelihoods.

Parliamentary budget deliberation falls under the purview of floor leadership, so such announcements are usually made by figures like the floor leader.

Despite this, analysts suggest that Jang's direct unveiling of the party's budget plan was aimed at highlighting his commitment to addressing livelihood matters.

Prior to this, Jang attended a policy forum titled "Strengthening Soundness in Insurance Solicitation Order and Consumer Protection," hosted by Chief Spokesperson Park Sung-hoon.

This event began at the same time as the forum hosted by Han.


Jang also attended the National Assembly forum hosted by the Seoul Chapter that Mayor Oh attended on Tuesday, delivering congratulatory remarks.

Jang said, "I hope this forum will serve as a starting point and foundation for the party and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to work together in solving and deliberating on issues directly affecting the public's lives."

On the other hand, he maintained his existing stance of opposition regarding lawmaker Han's return to the party.

Speaking to reporters after the budget announcement, Jang replied to a question regarding broad conservative unity, saying, "If integration and solidarity end up fueling greater conflict, that defeats the purpose," adding, "The party leadership will gather the opinions of party members before proceeding with matters of integration and solidarity."

(Photo: Yonhap News)