Calls for Judicial Reform Intensify Following O Se-hoon’s Acquittal

Following the acquittal of O Se-hoon, the mayor of Seoul, in an appeal regarding violations of political funding laws, calls for judicial reform have intensified among the ruling coalition. Many are expressing skepticism over the reversal of a guilty verdict from the first trial, stating it is "difficult to accept." The Justice Party has increased pressure on the Democratic Party, demanding the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae and the dissolution of the Supreme Court Administrative Office.

According to political sources on the 25th, the Democratic Party plans to pursue a national investigation into Chief Justice Cho after the National Assembly's audit. They aim to build public consensus before moving forward with impeachment, which carries the risk of backlash.

In this context, spokesperson Shin Hyun-young stated during a press conference at the National Assembly, "It is more reasonable to respond in a way that allows the public to clearly recognize the impropriety of Chief Justice Cho rather than pushing forward recklessly." Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok also indicated a cautious approach, saying they would proceed step by step, including a national investigation into Cho.

However, within the ruling party, voices advocating for judicial reform and the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho have grown louder following O's acquittal. O, who was previously convicted of violating political funding laws and fined 10 million won in the first trial, had his conviction overturned in the appeal.

Park Sung-jun, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, criticized the ruling after the appeal verdict on the 23rd, questioning, "Is this the judiciary, or is it a 'not guilty vending machine'?" He added, "The judiciary has opened the door to a political landscape where money buys public opinion and brokers manipulate elections. Today's ruling will be a catalyst for judicial reform."

Cho Kuk, head of the Justice Party's Innovation Policy Research Institute, pointed out that the Democratic Party has missed the opportunity for judicial reform and the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho due to internal power struggles. On his Facebook, he stated, "The acquittal of Mayor O is a counterattack of judicial politics," and emphasized that the punishment for insurrection lies in the hands of the judiciary, while the National Assembly remains inactive.

He further argued, "The Democratic Party has wasted precious time engrossed in internal power struggles, causing them to miss the right moment for impeachment and judicial reform. We must re-establish the 'anti-insurrection coalition' from the presidential election to prevent the resurgence of insurrection and far-right forces and to regain momentum for social reform and governance."

In response, a member of the Democratic Party's leadership told Aju Economy, "While we can argue for the impeachment of the Chief Justice as a political offensive, it may appear to outsiders that a significant upheaval is occurring in the country." They added, "It seems likely that the current situation will continue until the Chief Justice retires," emphasizing that the best outcome would be for the Chief Justice to resign voluntarily.