Oh Se-hoon calls for policy competition over political excess, enters conservative rebuilding race

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon made his first visit to the National Assembly since the June 3 local elections on Wednesday, asserting his presence amid a quiet competition among conservative figures over who will lead the rebuilding of the right — alongside independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon and Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok.

Speaking at a seminar titled "Assessing the June 3 Local Elections and the Path Forward — Restoring Conservative Values and the Future," hosted by the Future Innovation Forum of the Republic of Korea at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, Oh said, "Unnecessary, hasty change is not what members of our party want."

He said South Korea had become an "overly politicized society" and called for a shift toward substantive policy competition. "It would be good to move toward healthy policy competition, but everything has been ideologized, and in the eyes of citizens, politicians are already branded as 'brawlers,'" he said. He also said the party must transform into one centered on its parliamentary caucus, adding that doing so would "minimize unnecessary conflict."

The remarks were widely interpreted as an expression of sympathy with People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik's recent call for a measured pace in party reform.

The Future Innovation Forum is chaired by PPP lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun and counts about 30 members, drawn mainly from opposition-leaning lawmakers. Though it was founded with a pro-Yoon faction at its core, its factional identity has faded as pro-Han lawmakers have also joined. Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok is listed as a member, and Han Dong-hoon, who recently entered the Assembly, is said to have expressed interest in joining.

Political observers had been watching to see whether Oh, Han and Lee — the three conservative figures drawing the most attention since the local elections — might appear together at the event. Only Oh attended as the keynote speaker. Han was absent due to a constituency schedule, and Lee was on a trip to the United States.

Oh did not conceal his concerns about the Lee Jae-myung administration's real estate policy direction. "The government's policy direction of tightening capital gains and property holding taxes is taking shape, and the central government has nearly 100 percent discretion over tax policy," he said. "The Seoul Metropolitan Government has almost no policy tools to respond, but since there is still time before that direction becomes reality, I have already submitted a request for a meeting with President Lee Jae-myung."

He added that he had not yet received a confirmed date for the meeting. "If the opportunity arises, I will fully convey my views to the president," he said. "I will communicate in depth how the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government differ in their perspectives, and make clear that there are opposing views on the overall policy approach."

Oh also stressed the importance of reaching younger voters. "I have consistently emphasized policies that are genuinely committed to the future and solidarity with the vulnerable," he said. "Politicians often say they care about the vulnerable, but I take pride in being recognized as someone who has truly given everything to that cause."

Han had attended a National Assembly forum on Tuesday titled "My Lost Vote, Shaking Democracy — Suffrage Infringement and Electoral Reform," while Oh, though originally listed among the attendees, sent only a written message of congratulations on the day of the event.

Speaking to reporters immediately after his Assembly address, Oh played down any deeper significance. "I received notice of the Tuesday forum only a few days in advance, and I already had a prior breakfast commitment," he said. "There was also a sense that coming to the National Assembly two days in a row would be a burden for a Seoul mayor."

An opposition party official said gathering all three figures — Oh, Han and Lee, each drawing attention since the local elections — in one place could be uncomfortable for all involved. "Particularly at an event where Mayor Oh is the keynote speaker, having figures seen as rival contenders sitting in the audience would leave a lot of room for political interpretation," the official said.

Meanwhile, Han has been broadening his contacts with PPP lawmakers, while Lee has been focusing on reorganizing his party and pressing the offensive against the ruling camp as he works to expand his political reach.