People Power Party lawmaker Joo Ho-young (six-term, Daegu Suseong A) visited Oh Se-hoon's Seoul mayoral campaign on the 12th to encourage the candidate. Because both Joo and Oh have been at odds with People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, attention is on how their moves might affect a realignment of conservative politics after the local elections.
According to the political community on the 12th, Joo visited Oh's campaign in Jongno-gu, Seoul, that afternoon and met Oh in person. Several former People Power Party lawmakers were said to have joined the meeting.
An official in Joo's office said, "After Joo had a meal with several senior politicians, including former People Power Party lawmakers, I understand he briefly stopped by the campaign to encourage Oh, who is running in the election," adding, "The former lawmakers floated the idea, and Joo joined the visit."
In this election, Oh has kept his distance from the party leadership centered on leader Jang Dong-hyeok. He did not invite Jang to the Seoul party committee's election committee launch and joint meeting held at the central party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, that day. Oh said, "This election will be run with a citizens' companion election committee," adding, "A strategic division of roles with the party is necessary."
Joo has also clashed with the party leadership, including Jang. After being cut off (barred from the primary) in the Daegu mayoral primary, he repeatedly criticized Jang, and even after deciding not to run, his friction with the party leadership has not been resolved.
A political source said, "Given the high likelihood of a conservative political realignment depending on the local election results, the meeting between Oh, who represents the conservative base in the Seoul metropolitan area, and Joo, the most senior lawmaker by terms in the Yeongnam region, carries weight even if it is merely to offer encouragement."