Seoul Mayor Oh Se‑hoon fined 10 million won, files appeal

Seoul Mayor Oh Se‑hoon was convicted in a political‑funds case for having political broker Myeong Tae‑gyun provide undisclosed opinion polls and for arranging that supporter Kim Han‑jeong pay approximately 33 million won of the poll costs. The Seoul Central District Court sentenced him to a fine of 10 million won and ordered the confiscation of 21 million won. Co‑defendants, former deputy mayor Kang Cheol‑won and Kim Han‑jeong, received fines of 3 million won and 5 million won respectively. Under South Korean law, a fine exceeding 1 million won can trigger loss of a public office, meaning Oh could lose the mayoralty if the ruling is upheld. Oh announced he will appeal the decision; the case will move to the appellate court and could reach the Supreme Court in early 2024. The ruling has sparked partisan reactions: the Democratic Party called it “justice,” while the People Power Party labelled it a “political judgment.”