Seoul Says It Will "Push 9th-Term Policies with Renewed Vigor" After Oh Sehoon's Acquittal

Oh: "I will devote myself to the Seoul city administration with an even greater sense of responsibility"

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on the 23rd that it would push ahead with the policies of the ninth popularly elected administration with renewed vigor, following Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon’s acquittal on appeal on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.

Shortly after Oh was acquitted that day, the city issued a statement titled “Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Position on the Second-Trial Ruling,” saying, “We will push ahead with renewed vigor with Mayor Oh Sehoon’s key policies for his ninth popularly elected term, including a ‘Special City for Quality of Life’ that enhances citizens’ happiness and quality of life, a Seoul without loneliness, standing alongside the vulnerable, and support for young people.”

Yonhap News

The Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 7, presided over by Judge Gu Hoigeun, held a sentencing hearing in Oh’s case at 2 p.m. that day and acquitted him of violating the Political Funds Act. Kang Cheolwon, a former Seoul deputy mayor for political affairs who was tried alongside him, and businessman Kim Hanjeong, a supporter of Oh, were also acquitted.

Oh was indicted in December 2025 on charges of receiving opinion poll results from Myung on 10 occasions in total (three publicly released and seven not publicly released) ahead of the April 7, 2021, Seoul mayoral by-election, and having Kim, a supporter, cover costs worth 33 million won through Kang, who was then his chief of staff. In the first trial, Oh was fined 10 million won and ordered to forfeit 21 million won.

Under Article 57 of the Political Funds Act, anyone sentenced to a fine of at least 1 million won for illegally receiving political funds may not assume or be appointed to public office for five years after the sentence becomes final. Anyone already in office must leave that position.

The acquittal in the second trial that day significantly eased uncertainty surrounding the Seoul city administration.

After the trial, Oh said, “I am sorry to the public, and I am also grateful. I will work hard to live up to your expectations.”

Immediately after his acquittal, Oh wrote on social media, “The truth has finally found its place, though it took time. I believe that justice has prevailed,” adding, “I will devote myself to the Seoul city administration with an even greater sense of responsibility.”

Oh added, “Although I should have acted with greater caution and left no room for criticism as a public official, the very fact that I appeared before the public while going back and forth between prosecutors and the courts for trial caused them great concern. Regardless of the circumstances, I deeply regret this, and I will conduct myself with even greater discipline as a public official going forward.” He also said, “I will work even more diligently and repay citizens’ trust with results.”

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