Oh Se-hoon Appeals on Same Day After First-Instance Ruling That Could Void His Election Over Alleged Payment of Myeong Tae-gyun Polling Costs

[Financial News] The case involving Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who is accused of receiving public opinion polls from political broker Myeong Tae-gyun and arranging for the costs to be paid by a third party, will move to a second trial.
According to the legal community on the 23rd, Oh's side filed an appeal the previous day with the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 22, presided over by Judge Cho Hyung-woo, after the court sentenced him to a fine of 10 million won for violating the Political Funds Act.
Earlier, the court handed down a fine of 10 million won, a penalty that could invalidate his election. The panel explained its reasoning by saying, "The 21 million won that was found to have been paid on Kim's behalf is by no means a small amount," and "The defendant led the scheme even though he had long served as a lawmaker and mayor and was well aware of the Political Funds Act, and he has consistently maintained a stance that does not acknowledge responsibility."
Oh is accused of receiving both published and unpublished opinion polls related to the Seoul mayoral by-election from Myeong on 10 occasions between around Jan. 22 and Feb. 28, 2021, and of having businessman Kim Han-jung cover the related costs.
The Kim Keon Hee Special Prosecutor Team, led by Special Counsel Min Joung-kie, sought a sentence of one year and six months in prison for Oh and a forfeiture of 33 million won. It also asked the court to sentence former deputy mayor for political affairs Kang Cheol-won and Kim to one year in prison each.
Under the Political Funds Act, a defendant who receives a fine of 1 million won or more loses eligibility to run for office and has their election invalidated. Under the Local Autonomy Act, a local government head loses office if they lose eligibility to run. If Oh is ultimately convicted by the Supreme Court after receiving a sentence of more than 1 million won, he will lose his post as Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor.
[email protected] Jung Kyung-soo Reporter