Opposition: "Oh Sehoon's Acquittal Is Justice Served"... Demands Accountability from Special Counsel, Democratic Party

Jang Dong-hyeok: "The special counsel must take responsibility"
Lee Jun-seok: "A political attack that sought to eliminate rivals using the Democratic Party's sword"
Opposition lawmakers gather at high court before ruling
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After Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon was acquitted on appeal in the case involving alleged payments for opinion poll expenses on his behalf, opposition parties welcomed the ruling and criticized what they called the special counsel's excessive prosecution and the ruling bloc's pressure on the judiciary. Within and outside the People Power Party, some said the ruling not only lifted the threat of Mayor Oh losing his office and restored his momentum to govern the city, but also expanded his political room as a potential presidential contender.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, wrote on social media on the afternoon of Oct. 23: "Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, acquitted on all counts. Justice has prevailed." He added, "The special counsel, which indicted him on baseless charges, must be held accountable." He also urged the special counsel to give up its appeal to the Supreme Court and called for the resumption of President Lee Jaemyung's trial.

Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon speaks about the acquittal after the appellate court hearing in the “alleged payment for opinion polls involving Myung Tae-kyun” case at the Seoul High Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd. Provided by Yonhap News.

Jeong Jeomsik, floor leader of the People Power Party, said the court had "upheld its conscience in accordance with the law and evidence" and called on the Democratic Party of Korea to apologize. He also criticized Special Counsel Min Joongki, saying the investigation had been "marred by an excessive politically targeted investigation and politically motivated prosecution." He called for the Supreme Court to swiftly rule on the public election law case involving First Lady Kim Hyekyung and the case involving Kim Yong, former deputy director of the Institute for Democracy.

Cho Eunhee, a People Power Party lawmaker who chairs the party's Seoul chapter, said, "It will be difficult to avoid criticism that the indictment was driven more by political logic than by evidence," and called on the special counsel to drop its appeal. People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jaeseop, who is considered a close associate of Mayor Oh, posted a photo of himself with the mayor and wrote, "A moment of destiny!"

Lee Junseok, a Reform Party lawmaker, criticized the political dispute over the Myung Tae-kyun allegations itself. "There were people who sought to eliminate others by borrowing the Democratic Party's sword, the so-called 'Myung Tae-kyun Gate,'" he said. "It was a political attack disguised as a public-interest tip." He added, "I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Mayor Oh on clearing his name," and said he would work with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to address issues in his constituency more quickly.

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheolsu also said, "This is a stern rebuke asking why a special counsel investigation and a trial were pursued over matters that amounted to little more than gossip." He added, "I hope this serves as an opportunity to put an end to the practice of using the law as a weapon to disrupt politics and wreak havoc on citizens' lives."

People Power Party lawmaker Cho Junghoon said, "Raising suspicions and declaring someone guilty are two different things," adding, "I hope we can now focus on Seoul's affairs." Independent lawmaker Han Donghoon said the court had corrected the first-instance ruling despite "the blatant and lowbrow pressure from Democratic Party politicians."

The Seoul High Court's 7th Criminal Division, presided over by Judge Gu Hoegun, acquitted Mayor Oh, who had been indicted on charges of violating the Political Funds Act. The ruling overturned the first-instance sentence of a 10 million won fine. The appellate court found it difficult to consider the testimony of Myung Tae-kyun, the key piece of evidence, credible.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.