Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Fined 10 Million Won for Election Law Violation

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has been sentenced to a fine of 10 million won for violating political funding laws after being charged with receiving polling results from political broker Myung Tae-kyun and having a supporter cover the costs. Oh expressed his intention to appeal the ruling, stating, "I cannot accept this judgment."
 
The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 22, presided over by Judge Jo Hyung-woo, issued the ruling on July 22. In addition to the fine, the court ordered a surcharge of 21 million won.

Oh was charged for receiving unpublished polling results conducted by Myung ahead of the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election and for having businessman Kim Han-jung, a supporter, pay for the polling.

If the Supreme Court upholds the ruling, Oh will lose his position as mayor. According to the Public Official Election Act, elected officials lose their positions if they are convicted of violating political funding laws and receive a fine of 1 million won or more.

The court also imposed fines on two others involved in the case: former Seoul Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs Kang Cheol-won received a fine of 3 million won, while Kim was fined 5 million won.

After the verdict, Oh spoke to reporters outside the Seoul Central District Court, apologizing to the public for causing concern but also expressing disbelief that only five out of ten unpublished polls were deemed guilty.

He added, "The conviction was based solely on the testimony of Myung Tae-kyun, a notorious liar, and indirect evidence, with no direct evidence presented. I will contest this in the appeals court."

The special prosecutor's team, led by Kim Min-jung, stated, "The defendants have claimed that this was a politically motivated prosecution without any evidence, but this ruling proves that is not the case. We will analyze the verdict and decide whether to appeal."