KOR-Oh settles in earliest for presidential race... A strategic asset for the party
-Sharing the same goal for party reform... Agreed to meet soon
-Different style from Representative Jang Dong-hyuk... Would trying to keep him in check even work?
-If Oh Se-hoon, Han Dong-hoon, and Lee Jun-seok meet, they can all move forward together
-Democratic Party is addicted to impeachment... Final decision on Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's impeachment seemingly not yet made
-Park Gyun-taek or Yang Bu-nam for Justice Minister? It means they intend to drop indictments
■ Broadcast: SBS Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show (FM 103.5 MHz 7:00 – 9:00)
■ Date: Monday, October 26, 2026
■ Host: Attorney Kim Tae-hyun
■ Guest: Yoon Sang-hyun, People Power Party Lawmaker
[Kim Tae-hyun] Last Friday, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was acquitted in his appellate trial. Mayor Oh immediately spoke about party unity. Meanwhile, amid calls for the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae within the ruling sphere, discussions regarding a parliamentary investigation are also taking concrete shape. Let us discuss how the People Power Party views these matters with Representative Yoon Sang-hyun. Hello, Representative.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Hello.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Representative, I noticed you went to the Seoul Central District Court on Friday.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] I have been attending continuously.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Did you meet Mayor Oh before the verdict was delivered?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Yes, I went up and met with him.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Did he seem confident?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] First of all, his defense attorneys were about 80% confident that an acquittal would be handed down, so there was really not much concern.
[Kim Tae-hyun] The attorneys in charge?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Yes.
[Kim Tae-hyun] I see. What do you consider the significance of this ruling to be?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] From my perspective, everything ultimately returns to the rightful path—truth always finds its place. In that sense, it corrected the errors of the first trial and restored things to their proper position. When undergoing a criminal trial, the most fundamental principle is that proof must be strictly demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt. Looking at this case, the special prosecutor indicted based solely on unilateral statements from Myung Tae-kyun. However, the appellate court determined that the credibility of those statements was questionable and that they did not align with objective circumstances. Therefore, the attorneys believed that if the law and evidence were strictly applied, an acquittal was the natural outcome.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Did you speak separately with Mayor Oh after the verdict?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] He was very glad to see me. We embraced and spoke. We agreed to meet soon. I have not specified a date yet, but we will meet shortly.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Looking at that day, about 15 lawmakers showed up.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] About 13 or 14 came.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Yes, they went there.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] It was the first time that many people had gathered.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Naturally, lawmakers known to be very close to Mayor Oh were there, such as Representative Kwon Young-jin and Representative Cho Eun-hee.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] The day before, Representative Cho Eun-hee posted in the lawmakers' Telegram chat asking those who could make it to come since the appellate verdict was scheduled, so about 13 or 14 lawmakers attended.
[Kim Tae-hyun] So there were lawmakers who were originally close to Mayor Oh, as well as figures outside the legislature like Chairman Lee Jae-young, but there were also several people about whom onlookers wondered, "Did this person come as well?" A few also came from the Yeongnam region.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] All of them fundamentally wished for Mayor Oh's safe return, which is why I believe they came.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Representative Yoon, your constituency is Incheon, and while you are certainly not distant from Mayor Oh, you were not known to be extremely close...
[Yoon Sang-hyun] During the last election, Mayor Oh and I had breakfast together and discussed various internal reform measures for the party. I have consistently attended his trial proceedings as well. As such, the directions Mayor Oh advocates regarding unity or party reform align exactly with mine. Even during our breakfast meeting in July, we completely agreed on moving forward in such a direction. Because we share the same orientation, we continue to discuss various matters together.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Was there another reason you specifically went there on the day of the verdict?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] I attended prior hearings as well. Even when the prosecution made its sentencing recommendation, I went alone to that final hearing before the ruling, and I have continued to go.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Representative, looking at the video from that day, someone appeared to push past you while you were standing beside him.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Well, as I was walking out, our deputy mayor for political affairs told me I should stand next to him, so I stepped forward. Then suddenly someone was pulling me. When I looked to see who it was, I did not recognize them at first. Later, after watching the video, I realized a certain committee chairman I know had pulled me, and he later posted a message on Facebook. Then the person who took that spot was someone named Kang, whom I also know personally. He sent me a very long text message offering a sincere apology. He is quite close to me, and he repeatedly called and texted to apologize, so I told him it was perfectly fine.
[Kim Tae-hyun] In other words, he was saying he did not intentionally shove you aside.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] That is what he explained. It was simply an amusing incident.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. In any case, Mayor Oh Se-hoon has returned. Lawmaker Kim Jae-seop posted the four characters for "moment of the star" on Facebook. In the People Power Party, "moment of the star" carries considerable weight, having famously been used by former Chairman Kim Chong-in.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] It was indeed an expression used by Kim Chong-in in the past.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Do you agree that this is a "moment of the star"?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] If the presidential election proceeds on regular schedule, when would that be? It would be 2030. Until 2030, he holds a stable position as mayor and can maintain that solid municipal platform. Therefore, is he not the person who has settled into the presidential race earliest? While there are other contenders, they are lawmakers. Lawmakers have another hurdle to clear in 2028.
[Kim Tae-hyun] The general election.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Because they have to pass through the general election, assuming a 2030 presidential race, he is the first to land securely on that track. In that respect, I think it was described as his "moment of the star."
[Kim Tae-hyun] The Seoul mayoral election also coincides in 2030.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] That is correct.
[Kim Tae-hyun] From the perspective of the People Power Party, this means not only defending the Seoul mayoral seat, but also reviving a formidable presidential contender, right?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Of course. He is indeed a powerful presidential candidate. He has already been elected Seoul Mayor five times—a fifth-term mayor. Winning five terms as mayor is an extraordinary record in itself, isn't it?
[Kim Tae-hyun] It is a record.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] And where does the People Power Party show vulnerability? The moderate electorate and the Seoul metropolitan area. Is he not a strategic asset capable of demonstrating competitiveness there? Retaining such a strategic asset within our party and having a reliable center of gravity is an extremely positive sign.
[Kim Tae-hyun] How do you think Representative Jang Dong-hyuk views this? The dynamic between the two is not exactly smooth, given the past election talk about whether his candidacy would be dropped.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] It is true they have had friction over various issues. Since late last year, Mayor Oh has emphasized party change and innovation, and I have echoed identical arguments regarding Mayor Oh's logic and value orientation. Under those circumstances, there was talk of elimination or interference in the mayoral primary. Yet he overcame all those obstacles, returned as Seoul Mayor, and was acquitted in his election law trial where he had faced a 10 million won fine in the first instance. He represents our party's outreach toward moderates, the capital region, and the youth, while championing innovation, unity, and a rational, reform-minded, common-sense alternative conservatism. In that regard, this is very positive. His political character is somewhat different from Representative Jang Dong-hyuk's, certainly.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Not just somewhat, but substantially different.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] That is why what I constantly tell Representative Jang Dong-hyuk is to become the driving engine of change and innovation as party leader. I am not asking him to resign. I am urging him to recognize what the public truly wants and what party members genuinely desire, and to build a winning leadership and a winning party.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Might Representative Jang try to keep Mayor Oh in check?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Even if someone wanted to check him, could that actually work? Trying to keep him in check? Mayor Oh is firmly established as mayor, so keeping him in check would be very difficult. Nor do I think he would attempt to do so.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Really?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Yes.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Back in July during your breakfast meeting with Mayor Oh...
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Yes, the two of us met.
[Kim Tae-hyun] At that time, you discussed having the party center around the floor leadership, mentioning a parliamentary-centered party and abolishing the party leadership position.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Rather than outright abolishing the party leadership, the idea was to reduce the party leader's authority and move toward a parliamentary-centered party. The current nomination system—where the party leader forms a nomination committee and dictates strategy—is fundamentally flawed. Therefore, we should institutionalize public nominations, pursue reform and innovation, and target the moderate electorate. The two of us were entirely on the same page regarding this.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Meaning to dilute the party leader's power.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Pardon?
[Kim Tae-hyun] Curbing the leader's power, that is.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Since many party members oppose abolishing the party leadership because they may not fully grasp the context, purpose, and significance, the approach is to reduce the party leader's authority. The best solution is to establish public primaries as an institutional mechanism. I proposed that even if a bipartisan open primary is not feasible, our party alone could establish an open primary nomination structure, and we found common ground on that.
[Kim Tae-hyun] The day after the verdict, Mayor Oh visited the National Assembly and spoke of unity, saying, "The general election is approaching. We are gathering the hearts of those with differing ideas and philosophies." Now that Mayor Oh has survived and returned, will he serve as a catalyst for unity within the party?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] He certainly will. Having returned as a solid focal point, he called for change, innovation, and unity. Right now, Representative Han Dong-hoon is an independent, Representative Lee Jun-seok is with the Reform Party, and Mayor Oh Se-hoon is in the People Power Party. All three share the exact same orientation as myself: becoming a rational, common-sense, and reform-minded alternative conservatism that appeals to the moderate voter base. That is why he raised the banner of unity.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Yes.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] In that sense, philosophies and perspectives may differ somewhat. But what is our common objective? Over the past year and four or five months, has the Lee Jae-myung administration not severely damaged the liberal democratic republic of South Korea? Therefore, regardless of philosophical differences, our overarching cause is to stand against the overreach of the Lee Jae-myung government, safeguard the core values and foundation of the Republic of Korea, and defend our liberal democratic constitutional order. I believe he spoke out of this commitment to unity. Thus, we see a need to create a solid platform that appeals effectively to rational moderates.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Representative Yoon, Representative Jang Dong-hyuk has pushed away figures like Han Dong-hoon and Lee Jun-seok in the past.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Yes.
[Kim Tae-hyun] So you are suggesting that now that Mayor Oh Se-hoon—who holds appeal among moderates—has returned, both Han Dong-hoon and Lee Jun-seok should be brought under the People Power Party umbrella through reinstatement or mergers, correct?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] All of them are partners we must travel alongside. We must go together, though a detailed blueprint regarding the exact timing has not yet been set.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Naturally.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] I am also contemplating that question.
[Kim Tae-hyun] In any case, everyone must go together.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] We must go together. That is grand conservative unity, and Representative Jang Dong-hyuk must also be part of it. That defines genuine grand conservative unity. Therefore, Mayor Oh and I seem to be conceptualizing a platform rooted in rational, moderate pragmatism first, which should ultimately culminate in grand conservative unity alongside Representative Jang Dong-hyuk. Only by moving in this direction can we truly become the next governing force.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Looking at Representative Han Dong-hoon's interview yesterday, he said regarding Mayor Oh Se-hoon, "We have never let go of Mayor Oh's hand," suggesting they can align together.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Absolutely. Of course they should go together.
[Kim Tae-hyun] However, Representative Lee Jun-seok remarked in an interview last week that Han Dong-hoon is merely a legal technician and that Mayor Oh Se-hoon would have no intention of joining forces with him.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] That sounded like an attempt to read minds. People can hold varying perspectives before sitting down together, which is precisely why meetings are essential. In Representative Lee Jun-seok's case, his support base overlaps to an extent with Representative Han Dong-hoon's. Consequently, supporters often voice concerns that Han Dong-hoon's return as an independent encroaches upon Lee Jun-seok's political space. Such friction leads to these remarks. But whether it is Han Dong-hoon, Lee Jun-seok, Oh Se-hoon, Yoon Sang-hyun, or Yoo Seung-min, once they meet, they can all move forward together. Right now, they remain in a phase of mutual unfamiliarity, which explains why such comments arise. However, through continuous engagement and by establishing a sturdy platform of rational, moderate pragmatism, everyone can march forward together.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. Following this verdict, voices within the ruling camp are demanding the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae. You currently serve on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] That is correct. When did this talk of impeachment originate? It began on May 1 of last year, did it not? When the Supreme Court en banc overturned the appellate acquittal of Lee Jae-myung regarding the Public Official Election Act and remanded the case with a guilty intent, that was when these demands began surfacing. Furthermore, when the Chief Justice submitted written recommendations for Supreme Court Justice nominees, the president rejected them and demanded new nominations. What was said in response to that demand? That no constitutional basis or specific justification could be found. They labeled that grounds for impeachment as well. Recently, they scrutinized Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's special activity expenses—which he does not directly disburse or manage himself—and raised inflation allegations, adding that to their grounds for impeachment. But what connection does the Chief Justice have with an appellate court's ruling? Under Article 103 of the Constitution, judges rule according to the Constitution, law, and conscience. For the Democratic Party, everything inevitably leads to impeaching Cho Hee-dae; the answer is already predetermined. They are a party thoroughly addicted to impeachment.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Do you believe they will actually proceed with the impeachment?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] The Rebuilding Korea Party wants it, as do pro-Chung factions. That narrative is being built up, although it seems they have not yet made a definitive decision.
[Kim Tae-hyun] But will they ultimately go through with it?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] That remains to be seen. If both the Rebuilding Korea Party and pro-Chung factions push in that direction, accompanied by voices within the pro-Myung faction, the Democratic Party may succumb to the temptation to suspend Cho Hee-dae from duty simply because they dislike him, thereby attempting to wield influence over judicial personnel appointments. If he is suspended for six months, he would step down next June. Such a scenario is entirely possible.
[Kim Tae-hyun] So you oppose both the impeachment and the parliamentary investigation?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] A parliamentary investigation is utterly absurd. What is a parliamentary investigation? Under Article 8 of the Act on the Inspection and Investigation of State Administration, no parliamentary investigation may be conducted for the purpose of intervening in ongoing trials or prosecutorial actions under investigation. If a parliamentary investigation were launched, the targeted individual is currently undergoing investigation and facing multiple complaints. Thus, by operation of this statute, things may not unfold as they desire.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Let us touch upon one more issue regarding the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Reports indicate that either Representative Park Gyun-taek or Representative Yang Bu-nam is being considered as the nominee for Minister of Justice. Do you support this selection direction?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] I do not support it.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Why is that?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] First, back in 2023, Representative Park Gyun-taek served as legal counsel during the prosecutorial stages of various cases involving Daejang-dong, Wirye, and illicit money transfers to North Korea. Representative Yang Bu-nam served as head of the legal support team during the 2020 presidential election campaign and later as head of the party's legal committee, having provided personal legal support to the president. Both lawmakers are part of the gathering dedicated to dismissing indictments. Right now, dropping indictments is the foremost political controversy. Appointing someone with clear conflict-of-interest concerns as Minister of Justice is inappropriate. Shouldn't the Minister of Justice embody the rule of law, fairness, and common sense? Furthermore, our judicial system is undergoing changes for the first time in 78 years. At a time when the bedrock of the judicial system must be established, installing individuals who acted as the president's legal shield is unacceptable. Therefore, both should decline the post, and the president's appointment standards must change. When nominee Kim Seung-won was put forward, was he not a co-leader of that same group advocating the dismissal of indictments? Why search exclusively for a Justice Minister handpicked to manage the president's judicial risks? The appointment standards must be revised. Major restructuring has led to the emergence of bodies like the Major Crimes Investigation Bureau and the Public Prosecution Agency, shaking the foundations of the judicial system for the first time in 78 years. Wouldn't finding candidates suited to this historic transition be the right course? That is how it would be evaluated favorably.
[Kim Tae-hyun] While we must await the final outcome, do you believe the reason these two emerged as leading candidates, and that the president is choosing between them, stems from the intention to drop indictments?
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Ultimately, it will lead toward dropping indictments.
[Kim Tae-hyun] By appointing one of the two.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Whichever of the two is chosen, both have continuously voiced support for dismissing indictments. Moreover, the current acting head of the Public Prosecution Agency has stated that the dismissal of indictments would be reviewed after examining the findings of the fact-finding committee—the so-called Prosecution Future Human Rights Respect Committee Fact-Finding Team. Hence, the situation is highly likely to drift in that direction.
[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. We will conclude our discussion here. That was Representative Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party. Thank you, Representative.
[Yoon Sang-hyun] Thank you.
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※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
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