Oh Se-hoon: “Unity is needed to create synergy with Han Dong-hoon and Lee Jun-seok”

[Financial News] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said on the 7th, regarding the formation of a “broad conservative alliance” with independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, Reform Party lawmaker Lee Jun-seok and others, “Conservative unity that brings them all together and enables them to create synergy is absolutely necessary,” adding, “If there is a role I can play, I will do my utmost, however modest my contribution may be.”
Oh made the remarks to reporters after a debate at the Capital Region Housing Innovation Forum, held at the National Assembly that day.
Oh described Han as “a conservative asset who is fighting well these days and could multiply the camp’s strength several times over if they joined forces.” Of Lee, he said, “He maintains policies and political positions that resonate with the so-called centrist, metropolitan-area and youth constituencies, which are essential to a party’s electoral success.”
Regarding People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jae-seop appearing at a police station for questioning on the 6th, the first day of the parliamentary audit, Oh criticized it as “incomprehensible oppression of the opposition.” Kim is being questioned by police on suspicion of violating the Public Official Election Act by making false statements and defaming a candidate, after raising allegations concerning Seoul mayoral candidate Jeong Won-oh’s trip to Cancun, Mexico, during the June 3 local election campaign.
Oh said, “What Rep. Kim raised concerned a candidate’s qualifications and record, matters that must be scrutinized during an election campaign,” adding, “If the police continue such persistent, unbalanced investigations, they too will become a target of public condemnation, no less than politically biased prosecutors.”
He stressed, “Immense power inevitably becomes corrupt and loses its sense of balance,” adding, “A system of checks will be needed to ensure that [the police] maintain at least a minimum sense of balance.”
Asked about plans to meet the new Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Hong Ji-seon, Oh said, “At a debate a few days ago, I proposed that we meet formally and have an in-depth conversation, and I expect a meeting can be arranged soon.” He added, “Working-level discussions have begun.”
He added, “Given the history of my previous meetings with former Land Minister Kim Yun-deok, there are issues we can anticipate on that basis. We plan to put all of them on the table and begin consultations.”

[email protected] Lee Hae-ram Reporter