Seoul:An appeals court has acquitted Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon of violating the Political Funds Act, overturning a lower court's conviction. The Seoul High Court's decision comes after Oh was previously sentenced to a 10 million-won (approximately US$7,500) fine, which placed his position as mayor at risk.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Mayor Oh faced charges related to political funds concerning opinion polls linked to the 2021 mayoral by-election. The court found that the allegations, which included payments totaling 33 million won made by a political supporter for opinion polls, were not adequately proven. The case heavily relied on testimony from Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed power broker, which the court found could not be fully trusted.
Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team, dissatisfied with the ruling, has announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, describing the decision as "very disappointing." Meanwhile, Mayor Oh expressed gratitude to the residents of Seoul for their continued support following the acquittal.
Initially, the Seoul Central District Court had partially recognized the charges against Oh, ordering him to forfeit 21 million won. Both the prosecution and the defense appealed this ruling. Min's team sought an 18-month prison sentence and forfeiture of the total 33 million won.
Under the Political Funds Act, elected officials face removal from office if they receive a finalized fine of 1 million won or more for the improper acceptance of political funds. Mayor Oh, a prominent figure in the main opposition People Power Party, secured a nonconsecutive fifth term in the June 3 local elections.