Rival Parties Clash Over Seoul Mayor's Appellate Acquittal: What Impact on Conservative Opposition?

[Anchor]

Following Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's acquittal in his appellate trial, we examine the political reactions and fallout with reporter Go Jeong-hyeon.

Q. What are the official positions of the rival parties?

[Reporter Go Jeong-hyeon: That is correct. The broader ruling bloc condemned the verdict as one that defies common sense, while the conservative opposition welcomed it as justice being served. Let us take a listen.]

[Kim Min-seok / Democratic Party Leader: A verdict has been handed down that is difficult to understand or accept, both in terms of legal principles and common sense. I believe the public's suspicions will have grown substantially.]

[Jeong Jeom-sig / People Power Party Floor Leader: We express our deep respect to the judicial bench, which upheld justice and conscience based strictly on legal principles and evidence, even amid an environment of intimidation against the court and pressure for a guilty verdict.]

[Reporter Go Jeong-hyeon: The broader ruling bloc is highlighting that the bench that handed down today's (October 23) acquittal is the same one that acquitted former President Yoon Suk Yeol in his appellate trial regarding the Myung Tae-kyun opinion poll case. Lawmakers in the bloc also targeted Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, saying, "Another reason has been added to impeach Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae," and "This is the Cho Hee-dae judiciary's declaration of far-right politics." On the other hand, the conservative opposition lashed out at Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok, who had taken a Seoul mayoral by-election for granted, as well as Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-kyo, chair of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, who yesterday called for a prison sentence. Criticisms continued, including statements such as, "The Democratic Party, which agitated the public and plunged them into anxiety, must reflect and apologize," and "Fortunately, the bench did not bow to blatant pressure from Democratic Party politicians."]

Q. Any shifts in the conservative opposition's dynamic?

[Reporter Go Jeong-hyeon: About ten lawmakers from the People Power Party were also present today at the Seoul High Court where the appellate verdict was delivered. Lawmaker Kim Jae-sub wrote on social media that it was a "moment of the stars," referring to a fateful and decisive event. Because a Supreme Court ruling is still pending, a final judicial conclusion has not yet been reached. However, analysts in the political arena observe that by shedding this judicial risk for now, Mayor Oh Se-hoon will elevate his status as a prospective presidential contender and be able to seize greater initiative within the conservative opposition. There is also analysis that he will become a focal point in checking the dominant party leadership faction, including Leader Jang Dong-hyeok. Lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin, who belongs to the non-leadership faction, directly hit the current leadership today, saying that the party leadership—which had left people wondering which party's leadership it was by advocating for a Seoul mayoral by-election—should consider this outcome fortunate and feel grateful.]

Q. Are reactions within the broader ruling bloc mixed as well?

[Reporter Go Jeong-hyeon: That is correct. Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok previously stated that if a Seoul mayoral by-election were held, he would seek a confidence vote on his leadership depending on the outcome. However, amid recent Seoul real estate issues and sluggish party approval ratings, concerns had surfaced within the party that victory could not be guaranteed even if a Seoul mayoral by-election were held next year under current circumstances, and that a defeat could adversely affect the 2028 general elections. For this reason, some voices inside the party are reacting by saying, "Honestly, the burden on the party has been alleviated in some respects." Nonetheless, as the Supreme Court's ruling on Mayor Oh remains, arguments are also emerging within the party that they should rally their core support base around judicial reform issues, seek a turnaround in approval ratings, and prepare for what lies ahead.]

Video by Park Seon-soo | Graphics by Park Cheon-woong and Kim Han-gil
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.