Oh Se-hoon's side on the 22nd announced plans to appeal the first trial ruling on the mayor's "alleged proxy payment for polling costs," calling it "a ruling based only on possibilities without evidence."
Lee Jong-hyun, Seoul City special adviser for public livelihood communication, issued a statement the same day and said, "Even though there was no evidence to prove direct orders or involvement, the first trial court delivered a guilty verdict based solely on the unilateral testimony of Myung Tae-gyun and surrounding circumstances."
He added, "It is difficult to see this ruling as meeting the basic criminal trial principle of proof 'beyond a reasonable doubt.'"
Lee also said, "No evidence was ever presented to prove direct orders or involvement in commissioning the poll," adding, "Nevertheless, it is hard to accept that the court stitched together some exaggerated statements by people like Myung Tae-gyun and various circumstances to reach its conclusion."
He continued, "Given that the questionnaire had already been drafted before the time when they claim to have received the commission, and there is physical evidence that materials were exchanged secretly without the camp's knowledge, it is only right that all 10 indicted counts in this case be immediately corrected to not guilty."
Lee said, "Mayor Oh Se-hoon cannot accept this ruling," adding, "We will appeal immediately and fully contest the facts and the law again. We are confident the appellate court will hand down a fair decision based on the evidence and the law."