Oh Se-hoon overturns first-trial guilty verdict, eases legal burden and puts Seoul agenda in high gear

[Financial News] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s acquittal on the 23rd in the appellate trial on charges of violating the Political Funds Act is expected to give fresh momentum to Seoul’s ninth popularly elected administration. Oh had been fined in the first trial, a penalty that would have cost him his mayoral office, but overturned the ruling on appeal and substantially eased his legal burden. Observers say he may now regain confidence both in pursuing key policies and in his future political activities.
The Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 7, presided over by Judge Koo Hoe-geun, acquitted Mayor Oh that day in the appellate trial on charges of violating the Political Funds Act. The court found it difficult to fully credit testimony from political broker Myeong Tae-gyun, which the first-trial court had relied on as grounds for its guilty verdict.
Immediately after the ruling, Mayor Oh said, “I am truly, truly grateful to the citizens of Seoul for believing in Oh Se-hoon’s innocence and allowing me to work as mayor again.” He later wrote on Facebook, “I was acquitted in the appellate trial today. It came late, but the truth has finally found its place. I believe that justice will prevail.” He also apologized for causing concern among the public during the trial and said he would conduct himself with greater rigor as a public official going forward.
The ruling is significant not only because it eases Mayor Oh’s personal legal burden but also for the stability of Seoul’s municipal government. Major city policies require long-term budget commitments and coordination with relevant agencies, making the head of the local government’s resolve to pursue them and a consistent response from the administrative organization important.
Mayor Oh won a fifth term in June’s local elections, but the question of whether he could remain in office depending on the trial’s outcome had created uncertainty in city governance from the start of his term. With this ruling, the Seoul municipal government is expected to maintain continuity in key policies while focusing more on execution and results. In particular, it is expected to steadily pursue both new policies introduced in the ninth popularly elected term and ongoing mid- to long-term projects.
The Seoul municipal government also expressed its resolve to pursue policies for the ninth popularly elected term after the ruling was announced that day. In a statement issued under the name of spokesperson Ho Jun-seok, it said, “The Seoul municipal government will pursue with even greater vigor Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s key policies for his ninth popularly elected term, including the ‘Special City of Quality of Life,’ Seoul Without Loneliness, Accompanying the Vulnerable, and youth support, which aim to improve citizens’ happiness and quality of life.”
Mayor Oh also reiterated, “I will now devote myself to Seoul’s municipal government with an even stronger sense of responsibility. I will make sure to build ‘Seoul, a Special City for Quality of Life,’ where every single person can live happily.”

The acquittal on appeal is expected to affect Mayor Oh’s political standing as well. After demonstrating his competitiveness in June’s election, the ruling has also eased the burden surrounding his future political moves.
Some observers say the ruling has given Mayor Oh, who is mentioned as one of the opposition bloc’s potential next presidential candidates, an opportunity to broaden his political activity. However, rather than immediately embarking on a full-scale presidential campaign, he is likely to focus on producing visible results in Seoul’s municipal government. The results of major policies could directly affect his future political competitiveness.
Even so, the possibility of a further appeal by the special counsel remains a variable. If the special counsel appeals, legal uncertainty over whether Mayor Oh can remain in office is likely to persist until the Supreme Court of Korea issues its final ruling.

[email protected] Sung Cho-rong Reporter