Conservative Three Kingdoms... Jang Pivots to Livelihoods, Oh Expands Assembly Base, Han Seeks to Overcome Opposition

Jang Donghyuk Reports to the Public as Budget Season Begins
Oh Sehoon and Han Donghoon Attend National Assembly Events Separately on Nov. 3

In Seoul's Yeouido district, a political “Three Kingdoms” has resurfaced among opposition parties as they vie for leadership of the conservative camp. People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk sought to shift the political landscape by unveiling a “Five Major Livelihood Budgets,” while Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon and independent lawmaker Han Donghoon each moved to broaden their support bases, seeking to expand their reach in the National Assembly and overcome opposition within their respective camps.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, delivers congratulatory remarks at a policy debate titled “World Heritage and the Future of Cities: Finding a Path to Coexistence,” hosted by the party’s Seoul chapter and the Seoul Metropolitan Government at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building on the 3rd. Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon is on the left.

Jang held a press conference at party headquarters on the morning of November 3 and unveiled a “Budget to Address People's Needs.” The proposal calls for cutting 134 trillion won in nonessential spending from next year's government budget and increasing spending in five key areas: jobs, livelihoods, caregiving, safety and youth. His announcement was an effort to shift the focus to people's livelihoods as the National Assembly's November budget session got underway.

Recently, Jang has pursued a two-track strategy: reaching out to moderate voters through livelihood issues inside the National Assembly, while rallying his party's staunch supporters outside it around the “ballot paper shortage” incident. He also launched the party's audit committee the previous day. His move is seen as an effort to broaden his support base and reorganize the party, given that he has signaled he may seek another term as party leader next year.

Oh and Han attended separate forums at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, just 30 minutes apart. Oh attended a seminar on the redevelopment of Sewoon District 4, hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the party's Seoul branch, while Han hosted a forum on party reform with lawmakers Kim Gihyeon and Yoon Sanghyun, who are seen as potential contenders for the party leadership.

This was Oh's first visit to the National Assembly since he was acquitted on appeal last month in a case involving violations of the Political Funds Act. His visit was seen as an effort to broaden his political base, as he is considered to have relatively weak support within the National Assembly. He has also recently continued to build political ties over meals. Han, too, is expanding his outreach to overcome opposition within his camp. “Reforming political parties is tantamount to reforming politics,” Han said that day. “Parties that receive state subsidies should be required by law to select their candidates through bottom-up primaries.”

Participants, including People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sanghyun, independent lawmaker Han Donghoon, and People Power Party lawmaker Kim Kihyun, take part in a national ceremony at a debate titled “Party Reform: What Should Be Done and How?” held at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building on the 3rd.

The attendees at the forums also drew attention. Han's forum was attended by about 15 lawmakers, including members of the pro-Han faction. About 37 incumbent lawmakers attended Oh's forum, which began 30 minutes later. Lawmakers Joo Ho-young, Kim Gihyeon, Shin Seongbeom, Kim Seokki, Lee Manhee, Lee Dalhee and Seo Myeongok attended both events.

Oh's forum was packed, seemingly reflecting his changing stature. Many lawmakers from the party leadership faction, including Jang, also attended. The two sides have clashed over the party's direction, but have not made their differences public since the appellate court ruling. National Assembly floor leader Jeong Jeomsik, whose potential role as a mediator has been raised, also made an appearance.

A reciprocal show of support was also on display, symbolizing the possibility of what has been dubbed a “warm alliance.” Pro-Oh lawmakers Kwon Youngjin and Cho Eunhee attended Han's forum, while pro-Han lawmakers Bae Hyunjin and Han Jia attended Oh's. The two are reportedly said to have met recently at a funeral and agreed to “hold an official meeting soon.”

Rep. Kim Jaeseop, who was with the two, appeared on CBS's “Park Seongtae's News Show” that day and said, “They both strongly agreed that they must not be divided in the face of the Democratic Party-led administration and that there is no reason they cannot join forces.” On Han's return to the party, he said, “Sufficient consensus within the party is needed.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.