Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on the 22nd said he will appeal a first-trial ruling that fined him 10 million won over allegations that polling expenses were covered on behalf of Myung Tae-gyun, saying he "cannot accept it."
After the sentencing at the Seoul Central District Court the same day, Oh met with reporters and said, "I am truly sorry for causing concern to the public," adding the same.
Regarding the first-trial verdict, he said, "Of the 10 published and unpublished polls conducted by Mr. Myung, the court found five guilty," adding, "I cannot accept that. I believe all should have been not guilty."
He continued, "With no direct evidence at all, the court inferred guilt based on Mr. Myung's statements and circumstantial evidence," adding, "We will fully contest this on appeal." He criticized Mr. Myung as "the biggest liar."
Ahead of the April 7, 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election, Oh was indicted without detention in December last year on charges that, over 10 instances, he received polling results from political broker Myung Tae-gyun and had Kim Han-jung, known as a longtime supporter, pay 33 million won in expenses on his behalf.
The 22nd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Cho Hyung-woo) on the day sentenced Mayor Oh, who was put on trial for violating the Political Funds Act, to a fine of 10 million won.
If a fine of 1 million won or more is finalized for violating the Public Official Election Act or the Political Funds Act, eligibility to run for office is lost for five years. Under the Local Autonomy Act, a local government head must step down upon losing eligibility to run.
The Supreme Court ruling in Oh's case is expected next year. If the Supreme Court also finalizes a fine of 1 million won or more for Oh, he must step down as Seoul mayor. He also cannot run in the next presidential election to be held in 2030.