Oh Se-hoon fined 10 million won, mayorship at risk if upheld

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was convicted Wednesday of violating the Political Funds Act and fined 10 million won ($6,760) over illegal payments for opinion polls commissioned from political broker Myung Tae-kyun.

The Seoul Central District Court found that Oh commissioned Myung to conduct a nonpublic opinion poll ahead of the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election and asked businessman and longtime supporter Kim Han-jung to cover 10 million won ($6,760) cost.

Rejecting Oh’s defense, the court said “the defendant requested his supporter to pay the polling costs,” adding that the payment constituted an illegal political contribution under the act.

The ruling marks a major legal setback for one of the country’s most prominent conservative politicians and could cast uncertainty over Oh’s political future.

The verdict is not final and is expected to be appealed.

Under Korean law, elected officials lose their office only if a fine of at least 1 million won or a prison sentence is upheld by the Supreme Court.

Oh had denied any wrongdoing throughout the trial, arguing that he never requested the pa ...