Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon faces 1.5-year prison request in appeal

Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki has requested a sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison and a fine of 33 million won for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon during his second trial. The prosecution alleges that Oh violated the Political Funds Act by having a third party pay for public opinion polls related to the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election.

During the final hearing at the Seoul High Court, Oh Se-hoon denied all allegations, stating that he never requested a third party to pay for campaign expenses. While expressing regret for not immediately severing ties with political broker Myung Tae-kyun, he maintained his innocence, stating, “Truth will surely triumph.”

The prosecution also sought 1-year prison sentences for former Seoul Vice Mayor Kang Chul-won and businessman Kim Han-jung, who was identified as a supporter. In the first trial, Oh was sentenced to a 10 million won fine; if a fine of 1 million won or more is finalized in the appeal, he will lose his position as mayor. The sentencing is scheduled for October 23.