Smiles and handshakes, but no real alliance? Jang and Oh's uneasy coexistence

Oh's 'emergency committee' remarks bring tensions to the fore

Analysts watch whether a Jang-Oh alliance gives way to an Oh-Han one

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok. [The Herald Business]

Cracks are re-emerging in the relationship between People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who had appeared to be moving closer following Oh's appellate acquittal on political funds law charges.

The two had seemed to be building momentum — Jang called Oh to offer congratulations after the not-guilty verdict, and the pair were seen together at a string of public events, fueling speculation about a so-called "Oh-Jang alliance." But analysts say the two have slipped back into an uneasy coexistence after Oh suggested the party should transition to an emergency leadership committee to win the next general election, drawing a sharp rebuke from Jang.

The prospect of reconciliation first surfaced on Oct. 23, the day Oh was acquitted at the appellate court. Jang posted on Facebook that day saying justice had prevailed and urged the special prosecutor to drop any plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. Jang also called Oh directly that day to offer his congratulations.

Oh immediately emphasized conservative unity after the acquittal. At a National Assembly press photographers' sports day on Oct. 24, he called on the party to rally together, saying a general election was approaching. Two days later, at a memorial ceremony for former President Park Chung-hee, Oh ran into Jang and thanked him for speaking out against a further appeal.

The two continued to appear together at public events this month, giving the impression they were narrowing the political distance between them. On Nov. 3, Jang attended a joint policy forum co-hosted by the PPP's Seoul chapter and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, sitting alongside Oh. Oh said there was no one he could not meet and no one he could not join forces with, stressing the need for broad conservative unity. Jang, however, drew a line when asked about the possible return of independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon to the party following the PPP's 2027 budget announcement, saying that "unity and solidarity that enlarges conflict runs counter to the very purpose."

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok. [Yonhap]

The meetings continued the following day. At a JoongAng Ilbo forum, Jang greeted Oh by remarking that they had been seeing a lot of each other lately, to which Oh reportedly replied that he was glad for it.

On Nov. 6, Jang put his willingness to work with Oh front and center. At a PPP-Seoul Metropolitan Government budget policy consultation held at the National Assembly, he praised Oh's fiscal management and declared that the PPP and the Seoul city government were "one team." Oh joined in criticism of the Lee Jae Myung administration that day, calling it a "fiscally stingy government."

The conflict between the two came back into full view Wednesday, when Oh's media interview was made public. Oh signaled the possibility of transitioning to an emergency committee structure ahead of the general election, a remark widely seen as directed at Jang. Jang fired back sharply, suggesting Oh and he should swap jobs. Oh then stood firm, posting on Facebook about the importance of winning the general election and saying that "transitioning to an emergency committee before a party convention is one option."

The uneasy coexistence between the opposition party leader and the Seoul mayor has prompted analysis that realignments within conservative politics may be getting underway in earnest.

Shin Yul, a professor of political science and diplomacy at Myongji University, said the dynamic was driven purely by mutual need. "Political realignments happen only out of necessity," Shin said. "From Oh's perspective, he likely concluded that he was only softening Jang's hard-line image while gaining nothing for himself."

Shin added that, looking at the current situation, the odds of an Oh-Jang alliance continuing were actually lower than the chances of what is being called a "warm alliance" — a partnership between Oh Se-hoon and Han Dong-hoon.

raining@heraldcorp.com