[Edaily Reporter Hyera Lee ] With Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon overturning his first-trial sentence—which would have stripped him of his mayoral office—in the appellate court, attention is focused on whether this will trigger a seismic shift in the conservative camp’s power dynamics. Interest is mounting in whether Mayor Oh, having shaken off his legal risks, will emerge not only as a political comeback story but also as a focal point for the realignment of the conservative bloc.
According to political circles on the 23rd, the 7th Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Koo Hoe-geun) acquitted Mayor Oh in his appeal trial, in which he had been indicted on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.
The court ruled that there was no clear evidence to suggest that Mayor Oh had commissioned a public opinion poll from political broker Myung Tae-gyun. Previously, the trial court had sentenced Mayor Oh to a fine of 10 million won, a penalty equivalent to removal from office.
The final ruling is still pending. As the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor’s Office (led by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki) announced its intention to file a petition for review immediately after the verdict, Mayor Oh is expected to face a final ruling from the Supreme Court.
However, in political circles, attention is increasingly focused on Mayor Oh’s political moves following his “miraculous survival” in the appellate court.
Had he not pulled off this turnaround, Mayor Oh would not only have lost his mayoral seat but also been stripped of his right to hold public office for five years, making it impossible for him to run in the next presidential election. With the acquittal in the appellate court significantly alleviating political uncertainty, observers say he now has greater room to solidify his position as a potential presidential candidate.
Interest extends beyond Mayor Oh’s personal political comeback.
The key question is how his regained standing will influence the power dynamics and realignment process within the conservative camp. In particular, there is speculation that Mayor Oh’s role could become more prominent if forces seeking to check the leadership of Party Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk rally together.
Even within the party, there is a growing focus on the expansion of Mayor Oh’s political role. It is observed that his future moves could serve as a wild card in the party’s internal power dynamics, including the race for the next party leadership.
In fact, ahead of the ruling that day, about 20 lawmakers from the People Power Party gathered at the courthouse to show their support for Mayor Oh.
In particular, Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, who visited the court that day, wrote on Facebook after the verdict: “This ruling will draw new attention to Mayor Oh’s political role,” adding, “It is time for all of us to reflect on how to channel the voices of the people who desire change and innovation within the conservative camp.”
Rep. Na Kyung-won also voiced support for an expanded role for Mayor Oh. On Facebook, Rep. Na wrote, “The reckless rampage of the Democratic Party’s Lee Jae-myung administration has gone too far,” adding, “I believe Mayor Oh will play a greater role both in Seoul and within the party.”
It remains to be seen whether calls for a broader conservative alliance will resurface.
One such proposal is the so-called “Oh-Dong-Seok Alliance,” linking Mayor Oh, independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, and Reform Party lawmaker Lee Jun-seok. However, Rep. Lee, who is close to Mayor Oh, appeared on YTN Radio’s “Jang Seong-cheol’s News Myeongdang” that morning and drew a clear line when asked about the matter. When asked about Mayor Oh’s earlier remarks—in which he expressed his intention to “serve as a bridge for the centrist-conservative camp alongside Rep. Lee, Rep. Han Dong-hoon, and former Rep. Yoo Seung-min”—Rep. Lee flatly stated, “Mayor Oh does not have such thoughts [about joining forces with Rep. Han].”
Eom Kyung-young, director of the Spirit of the Times Research Institute, said, “Since Mayor Oh is the type to weigh his options carefully and proceed with caution, it is too early to rashly assume an alliance with the conservative camp,” but added, “However, I believe today’s results could shift the balance of power within the party toward Mayor Oh for a certain period.”