Oh Se-hun Acquitted Power Map Party 'Welcome Amid Complexity', Democratic Party 'Actually Favorable', Reform Party 'Close Observation', Cho Kuk 'Furious'

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

On the 23rd, the Criminal Division No. 7 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Goo Hoe-geun) acquitted Mayor Oh, who was indicted on charges of violating the Political Funds Act. This overturned the 10 million won fine and 21 million won in forfeitures ordered in the first trial ruling on July 1.

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

However, the appellate court ruled that it was difficult to trust the testimony of Myung, the key witness, and that there was insufficient evidence to determine that Mayor Oh requested or conspired to outsource the opinion poll fees. Acquittals were also handed down to Kim and Kang Chul-won, former Seoul City Political Affairs Deputy Mayor, who were jointly indicted.

With this ruling, Mayor Oh has substantially reduced the burden of potentially losing his position as mayor. However, with the special prosecutor announcing plans to appeal, the final judgment is expected to go to the Supreme Court.

The People Power Party finds itself in the most complex position.

Jang Dong-hyeok, the People Power Party's chairman, welcomed Mayor Oh's acquittal on the 23rd, calling it "inevitable justice." However, the reduction in Mayor Oh's judicial burden could become a new variable in the power structure within the People Power Party.

Mayor Oh has so far set himself in opposition to the party leadership by criticizing Chairman Jang's party management approach and the pursuit of disciplinary measures against non-mainstream faction lawmakers. In August, regarding the party's disciplinary issue, he pointed out that "ethics committee politics is the lowest form of politics."

If Mayor Oh broadens his political activities as a result of the appellate acquittal, changes may occur in the competition for leadership in the conservative camp, which had been unfolding centered on Chairman Jang and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hun.

Conversely, the Democratic Party, while criticizing the acquittal, is seen as having eased the burden of facing a Seoul mayoral by-election from a political standpoint.

Democratic Party Chairman Kim Min-seok criticized the ruling on the 23rd, saying it was difficult to accept, and Floor Leader Han Byung-do also demanded the special prosecutor immediately appeal.

However, concerns have been raised within the party that holding a by-election itself would be a considerable burden given recent Seoul real estate issues and deteriorating sentiment in the Seoul metropolitan area.

In particular, Chairman Kim announced ahead of the August party convention that preparations for the Seoul mayoral by-election would begin under the party chairman's responsibility, and that he would seek a confidence vote after the election.

If a Seoul mayoral by-election becomes reality, questions about Chairman Kim's political responsibility could emerge depending on the election results.

Democratic Party lawmakers representing the Seoul metropolitan area also expressed concerns about the election, citing poor sentiment in the region due to real estate issues.

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

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

The lawmaker posted on his SNS: "Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hun received an acquittal in court," adding "I plainly congratulate Mayor Oh on the restoration of his honor."

He continued: "There will be people who now speak words they don't mean depending on political advantage, but there were those who attempted vehicular homicide by borrowing the Democratic Party's sword to magnify what is called the 'Myung Tae-kyun gate.' If people continue to seek freebies, something bad will happen," he added.

The Innovation Party took the opposite stance.

Cho Kuk, director of the Innovation Party's Innovation Policy Research Institute, posted on his SNS on the 23rd: "The 'judicial politics' I have warned of repeatedly continues its counterattack," and blamed "the failure to resolutely pursue judicial reform, including abolishing the Court Administration Office and impeaching Cho Hee-dae."

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

Directing his remarks at the Democratic Party, he stated: "Will you still postpone judicial reform" and urged active engagement in judicial reform, including the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho.