Oh Se-hoon Acquitted People Power Party 'Mixed Welcome', Democratic Party 'Actually Favorable', Reform Party 'Close Attention', Cho Kook 'Enraged'

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has been acquitted in the appellate hearing of the 'Myung Tae-kyun opinion poll fee subcontracting suspicion' case, and the political calculations of the ruling and opposition four parties are diverging.

On the 23rd, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 7 (Presiding Judge Gu Hoe-geun) acquitted Mayor Oh, who was indicted on charges of violating the Political Funds Act. This overturned the fine of 10 million won and forfeiture of 21 million won handed down in the first trial on July 1st.

Mayor Oh was indicted on charges of requesting a poll from political broker Myung Tae-kyun ahead of the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election and having businessman Kim Han-jung pay the cost of 33 million won on his behalf.

However, the appellate court ruled that it is difficult to trust the testimony of Myung, a key witness, and that there is insufficient evidence to confirm that Mayor Oh requested or conspired to have a third party pay for the poll. Both Kim and Kang Chul-won, former Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs, were also acquitted.

With this ruling, Mayor Oh has been substantially relieved of the concern that he could immediately lose his mayoral position. However, the special investigation team has announced its intention to appeal, so the final judgment is expected to go to the Supreme Court.

The People Power Party faces the most complex political calculation.

People Power Party Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk evaluated Mayor Oh's acquittal as 'natural justice' and welcomed it. However, the easing of Mayor Oh's judicial burden could become a new variable in the power structure within the People Power Party.

Mayor Oh has been in confrontation with party leadership by criticizing Jang's management style and push for disciplinary action against non-mainstream lawmakers. In August, regarding the party's disciplinary issues, he also pointed out that "ethics committee politics is the lowest form of politics."

If Mayor Oh expands his political activities following the appellate acquittal, there could be changes in the competition for leadership in conservative circles being led by Jang and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hun.

Conversely, the Democratic Party is seen as being relieved of the burden of a Seoul mayoral by-election, even as it criticizes the acquittal.

Democratic Party Chairman Kim Min-seok criticized the ruling, stating it was difficult to accept, and floor leader Han Byung-do also demanded immediate appeal by the special investigation team.

However, within the party, concerns have been raised that holding a by-election itself is a significant burden given recent problems with real estate in Seoul and deteriorating public sentiment in the capital region.

Notably, Chairman Kim stated before the August party convention that preparations for the Seoul mayoral by-election would begin under his responsibility as party chairman, and that he would seek reconfirmation after the election.

If the Seoul mayoral by-election materializes, the result could raise questions about Chairman Kim's political responsibility.

Democratic Party lawmakers representing the capital region also expressed concerns about the election, saying public sentiment in the capital region is unfavorable due to real estate issues.

In the Reform Party, the actions of lawmaker Lee Jun-seok drew attention.

The lawmaker directly visited the Seoul High Court where Mayor Oh's appellate hearing was held on the 23rd and greeted Mayor Oh alongside People Power Party lawmakers.

The lawmaker posted on SNS: "Mayor Oh Se-hoon has been acquitted in court" and "I plainly congratulate Mayor Oh's reputation restoration."

He added: "There will be people who now say things they don't mean based on political advantage or disadvantage, but there were those who inflated what is called the 'Myung Tae-kyun gate' and attempted hit-and-run by borrowing the Democratic Party's sword" and "if people continue to expect free rides, bad things will happen."

Cho Kook Innovation Party showed the opposite reaction.

Cho Kook, director of the Cho Kook Innovation Party's Innovation Policy Research Institute, posted on SNS on the 23rd: "The counterattack of 'judicial politics,' which I warned about repeatedly, continues" and "this is the aftermath of failing to firmly push forward judicial reform, including abolishing the Court Administration Office and impeaching Cho Hee-dae."

Director Cho also argued that the judiciary has launched a counterattack taking advantage of declining approval ratings for President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party.

He urged the Democratic Party, asking '"Will you still delay judicial reform" and called for active engagement in judicial reform, including impeachment of Chief Justice Cho.