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A special counsel team on Wednesday sought an 18-month prison term for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on charges of accepting illegal political funds in connection with opinion polls he received ahead of the mayoral by-election in 2021. The recommendation was made at the Seoul Central District Court, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The team, led by special counsel Min Joong-ki, also requested a forfeiture of 33 million won (US$21,800) from Oh. The request follows Oh's indictment in December on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.

Coverage Comparison

All three reports from Yonhap News Agency — the only outlet whose coverage was reviewed — consistently state that the special counsel sought the 18-month sentence and the forfeiture. The reports also agree on the core allegation: that Oh is suspected of having his political supporter, Kim Han-jung, make payments for opinion poll results he received on 10 occasions from self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun ahead of the by-election in April 2021, which Oh won.

One report adds that the special counsel also sought a one-year prison term for Kim and for former Seoul Deputy Mayor Kang Cheol-won, both of whom were indicted in the case. Another report includes Oh's denial of the allegations and his accusation that the special counsel team had a "political purpose." A third report, which is shorter, omits these details but includes the same core facts.

Key Claims

  • The special counsel team sought an 18-month prison term for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on charges of accepting illegal political funds.
  • The charges relate to opinion polls Oh received ahead of the mayoral by-election in 2021.
  • The team also sought a forfeiture of 33 million won (US$21,800) at the Seoul Central District Court.
  • Oh is suspected of having his political supporter, Kim Han-jung, make payments for opinion poll results on 10 occasions from self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun.
  • The special counsel team sought a one-year prison term for Kim and former Seoul Deputy Mayor Kang Cheol-won.
  • Oh denied the allegations and accused the special counsel team of having a "political purpose."
  • The trial's sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 22.

Perspectives

Special Counsel Team

The special counsel team argued that Oh, as a prominent politician, was in a position to follow the Political Funds Act more than anyone else. The team stated that Oh "undermined the legislative purpose of ensuring transparency of political funds by making a third person pay for costs of opinion polls closely related to political activities without following legal procedures."

Oh Se-hoon

Oh denied the allegations. In his final statement at the court hearing, he said he had been indicted by prosecutors "subordinate to politics," calling his indictment "very immoral." He also accused the special counsel team of having a "political purpose" when he arrived at the court earlier in the day.