Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who was sentenced in the first trial to a fine of 10 million won on charges of receiving poll results from political broker Myung Tae-gyun before the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election and having a sponsor pay the expense in his stead, has appealed.
On the 22nd, the mayor's defense team filed a notice of appeal with the Seoul Central District Court. On the same day, the court sentenced the mayor to a fine of 10 million won and an additional collection of 21 million won. This amounts to loss of eligibility for public office.
After the ruling, the mayor left the courtroom and said the sentence was handed down "on the premise that the testimony of Myung, a world-class liar, is correct," signaling an intention to appeal.
The mayor is accused of receiving poll results from Myung 10 times ahead of the April 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election. The mayor is also accused of having former lawmaker Kim Han-jung, known as his sponsor, pay about 33 million won on his behalf under the pretext of survey expense.
The court found that 5 of the total 10 polls were conducted at the mayor's request.
If the first-trial verdict is finalized, the mayor will lose his post. The first trial in the mayor's case must be concluded within six months from the date of indictment, and the second and third trials must each be concluded within three months from the date of the prior judgment. Given this, the appeals court must hand down a ruling by Oct., and the Supreme Court by Jan. next year.