'Opinion Poll Payment' Oh Se-hoon Faces Prison Sentence Again on Appeal: "All My Fault" (Comprehensive)

1 Year and 6 Months in Prison Requested, Same as First Trial
33 Million Won Forfeiture Also Sought

Oh Se-hoon in Tears: "Requesting Payment on My Behalf Goes Against My Political Convictions"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who was indicted for the alleged payment of opinion poll expenses on behalf of another person in connection with the Myung Taekyun case, has received a prison sentence recommendation at the appellate trial.

On October 2, during the sentencing hearing for Mayor Oh’s appeal before the Seoul High Court’s 7th Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Koo Hoegeun), the team from Special Prosecutor Min Joongki requested that Oh be sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison and ordered to pay the forfeiture of 33 million won. For Oh’s associate, Kang Chulwon, former Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs of Seoul, and businessman Kim, a supporter who was also indicted, the prosecution sought 1 year in prison for each. These sentencing recommendations are the same as those requested by the prosecution during the first trial.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is attending the appellate trial sentencing hearing for the poll manipulation case involving Myeong Taekyun, held at the Seoul High Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News

The special prosecutor's team explained the reasons for their sentencing recommendations as follows: "As a prominent politician, defendant Oh Se-hoon occupies a position that especially requires compliance with the Political Funds Act. He enabled a third party to pay for opinion poll expenses closely tied to political activities without following proper legal procedures." They further stated, "This undermined the public's trust in the rule of law. Despite being the ultimate beneficiary of the crime, Oh has denied the charges and avoided responsibility throughout the investigation and trial process. Strict punishment is therefore unavoidable."

Regarding former Deputy Mayor Kang, the prosecution argued, "Despite being one of Mayor Oh Se-hoon's closest aides and occupying a key position managing all aspects of the election campaign, he played an important role in the execution of the crime by facilitating communication." As for businessman Kim, they stated, "By covering opinion poll expenses that should have been paid by Mayor Oh’s side, he undermined fairness in the political process."

During the final arguments, Mayor Oh’s legal team questioned the credibility of testimony provided by Myung and requested either dismissal of the indictment or a not-guilty verdict. The defense argued, "There is no evidence specifying when, where, or with what words Mayor Oh requested that Kim pay the expenses on his behalf." They also claimed, "Recordings of phone conversations between Kim and Myung submitted during the appeal show that Kim paid the money of his own accord and not at Mayor Oh’s request."

In his closing statement, Mayor Oh pointed out that he had spearheaded the amendment of the Political Funds Act, resulting in the so-called "Oh Se-hoon Act" named after him, and said, "The accusation that I asked a supporter to pay my expenses for me is utterly incompatible with my political convictions." He reiterated, "I never commissioned Myung Taekyun for any opinion polls or arranged for expenses that should have been paid by my campaign to be covered by someone else."

Choking up during his remarks, Mayor Oh stated, "I deeply regret having allowed Myung Taekyun to continue approaching me, instead of cutting ties firmly, which ultimately led to me standing in court. I blame no one else. This is entirely my own mistake." He added, "I am not afraid of losing my position. I earnestly request that the court deliver a wise judgment grounded in truth."

Mayor Oh is accused of receiving the results of opinion polls on ten occasions from political broker Myung Taekyun prior to the Seoul mayoral by-election held on April 7, 2021, and of having longtime supporter businessman Kim cover 33 million won in expenses on his behalf.

In the first trial, the court found that Mayor Oh had commissioned five opinion polls from Myung and had Kim pay 21 million won in expenses on his behalf, sentencing Mayor Oh to a fine of 10 million won and ordering him to forfeit 21 million won. This penalty was severe enough to result in the loss of his mayoral position. According to Article 57 of the Political Funds Act, those who receive a sentence of more than 1 million won for illegal receipt of political funds are barred from holding or being appointed to public office for five years after sentencing, and if already serving, are required to resign from their post.

During the first trial, Kang received a fine of 3 million won, and Kim received a fine of 5 million won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.