Oh Se-hoon, Acquitted on Appeal, Says Democrats Should Hold Off on Impeaching Chief Justice Cho

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Saturday urged the Democratic Party of Korea to exercise restraint after the party formalized discussions on impeaching Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-de. Oh made the remarks just one day after being acquitted on appeal of violating the Political Funds Act on Friday, overcoming the threat of losing his post as mayor.

Speaking at the 2026 Photojournalists' Family Sports Day held at the National Assembly grounds, Oh said, "The Democratic Party keeps making remarks that suggest it is drunk on being the elected power and imagines itself standing above the three branches of government — legislative, executive, and judicial. These are outrageous statements found nowhere in any constitutional textbook."

He added, "Judicial independence is achieved and the foundation of the separation of powers is strengthened only when the judiciary is respected," and urged, "I call on the ruling party to show restraint."