Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Fined for Illegal Political Funds
Quick Look
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was fined 10 million won by a district court for accepting illegal political funds related to opinion poll results before the 2021 mayoral by-election, a violation that could strip him of his seat if the fine is finalized.
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Why It Matters
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was indicted in December by a special counsel's team for violating the Political Funds Act. He allegedly received payments for opinion poll results from a power broker before the 2021 mayoral by-election.
SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul district court on Wednesday sentenced Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to a 10 million-won (US$6,750) fine for accepting illegal political funds in connection with opinion poll results he obtained ahead of the 2021 mayoral by-election.
The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence after special counsel Min Joong-ki's team indicted Oh on charges of violating the Political Funds Act in December.
Under the law, elected officials are stripped of their seats if they receive a finalized fine of 1 million won or heavier punishment for violating the Political Funds Act.
In its indictment, Min's team accused Oh of having a political supporter make payments for opinion poll results he allegedly received on 10 occasions from self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun ahead of the by-election in April 2021, which he won.
Open Questions
- Will Oh Se-hoon appeal the court's decision?
- What will be the final outcome regarding his mayoral seat?
- What specific opinion poll results were involved?
