Oh Se-hoon on Yoon's Impeachment Verdict Delay: "Abnormal Signs... Expecting 2 Dismissals and 1 Rejection"

Oh Sehoon Predicts "Two Justices for Dismissal, One for Rejection"
Expresses Regret Over Housing Price Increase After Lifting Land Transaction Permit Regulations

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon described the delay in the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial, which is later than initially expected, as an "abnormal sign," adding that "the general observation is that the possibility of dismissal or rejection is higher than originally thought." On the 17th, Mayor Oh appeared on TV Chosun's News9 and commented on the delay in the Constitutional Court's ruling, saying, "It can be assumed that some circumstances have arisen that make it difficult to reach a consensus." He further predicted, "Judging by the political leanings of the Constitutional Court justices and the delay, there might be about two justices leaning toward dismissal and one toward rejection."

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon described the delay in the ruling on President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial as an "abnormal sign," adding, "The general observation is that the possibility of dismissal or rejection seems to be higher than initially expected." Photo by Jo Yong-jun

Responding to the host's remark that he was known as a 'pro-impeachment faction,' he said, "I wrote on Facebook at the time that it would be better to proceed with the impeachment motion as a party line, but the intention was that going through the impeachment motion to receive the Constitutional Court's judicial judgment was the way to resolve the situation." He rebutted, saying, "It is an exaggeration to classify me as pro-impeachment." When asked whether a message of acceptance from President Yoon and the ruling and opposition parties would be necessary once the impeachment ruling is announced, he replied, "That is a given," adding, "At the very least, if you are a political party or a responsible politician, you should maintain the position of accepting the Constitutional Court's decision."

Regarding allegations that during the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election, he had Kim Han-jung, a supporter, pay survey costs to Myung Tae-gyun, Mayor Oh denied the claims again. He emphasized, "The core issue is whether we commissioned the survey, whether the survey results came to us, and whether the payment was made through Mr. Kim. Nothing has been revealed." He added, "Myung Tae-gyun is someone who records everything. They say there are tens of thousands of recordings. Nothing has come out so far. If there were, it would probably have been exposed already." Addressing evaluations that, as a next presidential candidate, he has strong centrist appeal but a weak base within the party, he expressed confidence, saying, "If impeachment happens and it is just before the election, the focus will be on who can defeat the risky and unstable opposition candidate, Lee Jae-myung, and naturally, public opinion will form accordingly."

On the same day, regarding the rise in housing prices following the lifting of land transaction permit zone regulations in the Gangnam area, Mayor Oh said, "I truly feel sorry," adding, "Just before lifting the regulations, the Seoul real estate market was clearly on a downward stabilization trend, and the number of transactions had significantly decreased, so the timing was chosen very appropriately, but it seems to have had a greater impact on the market than expected."