After Kimjang Season... Ruling Party Convention Focuses on 'Sudogwon'

Ruling Party Leadership Candidates Meeting Mayor Oh Se-hoon
Various Election Alliance Scenarios Emerging

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The momentum of the 'Kim-Jang Alliance (Kim Ki-hyun-Jang Je-won),' which had rallied the 'Pro-Yoon (친윤)' faction and created a whirlwind, is waning, and the importance of the 'capital region' is drawing the attention of party leadership candidates. The candidates are meeting with Oh Se-hoon, the mayor of Seoul and a leading presidential candidate with significant influence over the capital region's public sentiment, to secure 'expandability.'

Ahn Cheol-soo, a ruling party leadership candidate, announced on the 17th via his social media (SNS) that he held a policy discussion with Mayor Oh, stating, "We agreed that this party convention should be a place of unity where all party members and supporters feel a sense of participation and achievement."

Representing the Gyeonggi Province Bundang-eul district, he said, "Gyeonggi-do and Seoul share living areas, so we need to have ongoing consultations on transportation, youth, housing, environment, and more. In particular, I am a lawmaker who, having served as a first-term and second-term representative in Seoul's Nowon District, knows better than anyone the poor infrastructure of Gangbuk," adding, "I will continue to work closely with Mayor Oh to improve the quality of life and ensure the safety of Gyeonggi residents and Seoul citizens."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Mayor Oh has been showcasing his presence by meeting sequentially with major ruling party leadership candidates, including Kim Ki-hyun on the 15th and former lawmaker Na Kyung-won on the 16th. Since this party convention is conducted with 100% party member votes, there is a concern it might become a 'storm in a teacup' only attracting party members' interest. Therefore, meetings with Mayor Oh, a next presidential candidate with capital region expandability, are seen as a way to broaden centrist appeal.

As the supporters grow weary of the 'Pro-Yoon vs. Anti-Yoon' battle dominating the convention landscape, Mayor Oh's neutrality and refusal to side with any faction have increased his value.

On the other hand, the 'Kim-Jang Alliance,' which had consolidated the Pro-Yoon faction at the study group 'National Sympathy' earlier last month, appears to be faltering. Just last week, Jang Je-won directly raised his voice against former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, engaging in a 'verbal dispute' on social media, but has since paused following leadership's calls for self-reflection. Na Kyung-won's mention of the 'Jinbak Identifier' and her positioning as 'Pro-Yoon Anti-Jang' while attacking the 'Yoon Core Group (Yoon Seok-yeol's key associates)' also seems to have had an impact.

Kim Ki-hyun, one of the focal points of the Kim-Jang Alliance, distanced himself during a New Year's meeting with Busan expatriates the day before, telling reporters, "The term 'Kim-Jang Alliance' is already outdated. I hope you stop using that term." Meanwhile, Jang Je-won has remained silent on social media for two consecutive days. The controversy caused by rapper 'Noel,' Jang's son, who recently referenced the 'Jeon Du-hwan era' in his song lyrics, is also adding to the burden.