The People Power Party expressed confidence on October 23 that Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon will be acquitted in the appeal regarding the "Myung-taek-kyun polling payment scandal." The Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 7 is scheduled to hold the appeal ruling at 2 p.m. today concerning allegations of violations of the Political Fund Law against Mayor Oh.
Choi Soo-jin, the party's chief spokesperson, stated in a commentary that "the ruling in Mayor Oh's appeal must correct the erroneous first-instance verdict" and expressed hope for a fair judgment based on clear evidence and strict law, moving away from the speculation and conflicting testimonies that characterized the first trial.
Choi also emphasized the significance of newly submitted recorded phone conversations between Myung and donor Kim Han-jeong as evidence. She asserted that "the newly presented recording is decisive evidence proving Mayor Oh's innocence," demonstrating that he had no involvement in commissioning or influencing the polling.
She criticized the Democratic Party for merely engaging in political attacks, stating, "They are making unfounded claims that disregard the clear truth and the fundamental principles of criminal trials," and pointed out that they are wrongfully linking Mayor Oh to financial transactions between third parties he was unaware of, labeling it as 'payment on behalf.'
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor's team, led by Min Jung-ki, has sought a sentence of one year and six months in prison for Mayor Oh, along with a fine of 33 million won. Previously, the first-instance court had imposed a fine of 10 million won on Mayor Oh in July. If the same sentence is upheld in the appeal and confirmed by the Supreme Court, Mayor Oh would lose his position as mayor.
According to Article 57 of the Political Fund Law, if a fine of more than 1 million won is confirmed for the crime of improperly receiving political funds, the individual cannot assume or be appointed to a public office for five years. If already in office, they must resign from that position.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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