Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Calls for Unity Among Conservative Parties After Acquittal
Following a court acquittal on political funding charges, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon pledged to help consolidate South Korea's conservative opposition ahead of the upcoming general election.
Oh Se-hoon, serving his fifth term as Seoul mayor, announced his intention to foster cohesion within the conservative camp after an appeals court overturned his conviction for alleged political funding violations. Speaking at the National Assembly, he argued that a united People Power Party would better reassure the electorate as the general election approaches. Han Dong-hoon, an independent conservative legislator, described Oh as highly reasonable and called for joint efforts to broaden conservative support.
The acquittal stems from the Seoul High Court finding key testimony unreliable, yet the special counsel intends to seek a Supreme Court review. Critics such as Cho Kuk of the Rebuilding Korea Party denounced the decision as politically motivated, while Oh dismissed calls to impeach the chief justice, urging respect for judicial independence. His political ambitions remain under speculation as he continues to focus on mayoral duties.
Why it matters
The ruling removes a major legal hurdle for a prominent conservative leader, shaping the dynamics of South Korea's upcoming election.
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