Acquittal Sparks Renewed Reform Demands
Left-leaning politicians in South Korea vowed renewed efforts to overhaul the judicial branch on Friday following a high court's acquittal of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. The court cleared Oh of charges that he violated the Political Funds Act.
The ruling triggered immediate criticism from members of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and minor liberal opposition groups, who argued the decision undermined public trust in the judiciary. Rep. Kim Min-seok, chair of the Democratic Party, told reporters that the verdict was "difficult to accept, both from a legal perspective and from common sense."
Kim stated that the ruling has "fueled significant public suspicion" toward the judicial branch. He expressed concern that the decision should not have been politically motivated.
The acquittal intensifies existing pressure on the Supreme Court, which is led by Chief Justice Jo Hee-de. The ruling party and its liberal allies have been pressing for changes regarding Supreme Court justice nominations and a recent decision to send back a court case involving President Lee Jae Myung ahead of last year's presidential election.
Members and supporters of the Democratic Party and its allies have accused Jo of leading a "judicial coup." Rep. Park Sung-joon, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said the ruling would reignite the push for judicial reform but did not elaborate on specific planned actions.
Park stated that the public will no longer tolerate a judicial branch that "turns a blind eye to justice." He added that the Democratic Party of Korea will complete its reform efforts unperturbed if the judiciary cannot set itself right.
Opposition Calls for Impeachment and Structural Change
Park Sung-joon downplayed the possibility that Friday's ruling would immediately lead to a move to impeach Jo, stating there is no need to draw a direct correlation between the two. He added that the party would decide on its next step after reexamining the court ruling.
Cho Kuk, founder and former chair of the minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party, characterized Friday's ruling as evidence of a move to counter attacks on the courts. Cho stated on his Facebook that a counterattack by a politicized judiciary is underway, resulting from failing to sternly carry out judicial reforms by abolishing the National Court Administration and impeaching Jo.
The Rebuilding Korea Party unveiled a motion to impeach Jo earlier this week and asked the Democratic Party to support it, noting that an impeachment motion requires at least 100 sponsors at the National Assembly.
Rep. Shin Chang-sik, chair of the Rebuilding Korea Party, claimed that the judicial branch under Jo has been largely lenient in sentencing conservative figures, including those involved in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's illegal martial law declaration in 2024. Shin told reporters there is no guarantee that more rulings favorable to insurrectionist forces won't follow and urged the liberal bloc to waste no time impeaching Jo and dissolving the NCA.
Shin Chang-sik stated that now is the most appropriate time to impeach Jo.
Ruling Party Welcomes Verdict, Criticizes Prosecution
The main opposition People Power Party welcomed the not guilty verdict on Oh, who is a PPP member. Citing President Lee's remarks that prosecutors bring charges against innocent people and keep appealing to avoid responsibility, Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok, chair of the People Power Party, urged the special counsel that brought charges against Oh not to appeal to the top court.
Rep. Park Choong-kwon, senior spokesperson of the People Power Party, called the ruling "a big relief" and slammed the special counsel for disrupting Seoul's governance. Park Choong-kwon stated that the special counsel should regret destabilizing the administration of the Seoul Metropolitan Government and causing anxiety among citizens through overreaching prosecution.
Park Choong-kwon said it is a big relief that Oh can now continue his administration without further disruption.