Lead
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was convicted on Wednesday of violating South Korea's Political Funds Act and sentenced to a 10 million-won (US$6,750) fine for accepting illegal political funds tied to opinion polls commissioned ahead of the 2021 mayoral by-election. The Seoul Central District Court's ruling, which Oh has said he will appeal, could strip him of his mayoral position if upheld.
The case stems from charges filed in December by special counsel Min Joong-ki's team, alleging that Oh obtained opinion poll results through a political supporter's payments to a self-proclaimed power broker. The court found Oh guilty, ordering him to pay the fine and forfeit an additional 21 million won.
Key Claims
The court determined that Oh, well aware of the Political Funds Act, arranged for a longtime supporter to pay for opinion poll results he received from self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun ahead of the April 2021 by-election, which Oh won. According to the special counsel's indictment, Oh allegedly received such results on 10 occasions. The court, however, partially recognized the charges, concluding that Oh requested opinion polls from Myung on five occasions and that the supporter paid 21 million won for them.
Under South Korean law, an elected official who receives a finalized fine for violating the Political Funds Act loses their seat. If the ruling is upheld on appeal, Oh would forfeit his position as mayor, a consequence that legal experts and political observers note could also jeopardize his prospects for higher office, including a potential presidential run.
Oh has maintained his innocence, arguing that the verdict relied primarily on the testimony of an unreliable witness and circumstantial evidence rather than direct proof. He has announced his intention to appeal, a right that must be fully respected, as the first-instance verdict is not final.
Perspectives
The court, in its ruling, criticized Oh for abusing his position, stating, "Despite having served as a public official and being well aware of the Political Funds Act, he did not admit responsibility in court," adding that losing public office was inevitable. The prosecution had sought a heavier penalty, demanding a fine of 33 million won.
Oh maintains his innocence, telling reporters he would appeal and claiming the judgment relied primarily on testimony from an unreliable witness and circumstantial evidence. His right to challenge the ruling through the appellate process must be respected, with final determination pending at the Supreme Court.
Analysts suggest the conviction could impact Oh's political future, including potential ambitions for the 2028 National Assembly or the next presidential race. The ruling also raises broader questions about campaign financing and the use of opinion polls during elections in South Korea, issues that some observers say merit institutional attention regardless of the appeal's outcome.