[Anchor]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who was indicted on charges of receiving public opinion polls from political broker Myung Tae-kyun and having a supporter pay the costs on his behalf, has been sentenced to a fine of 10 million won in the first trial. If this ruling is finalized, Mayor Oh will lose his mayoral position. The court pointed out that Mayor Oh "was well aware of the Political Funds Act yet failed to accept responsibility during the trial."

Shin Yong-il reports.

[Reporter]

[Verdict: Defendant Oh Se-hoon, a fine of 10 million won.]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who was put on trial for violating the Political Funds Act, has been found guilty.

The court sentenced Mayor Oh to a fine of 10 million won and an additional collection of 21 million won.

Under the Public Official Election Act, if a fine of 1 million won or more is finalized, Mayor Oh will lose his position as mayor.

Previously, the Special Prosecutor team investigating Kim Keon-hee demanded a prison sentence of one year and six months for Mayor Oh. The prosecution stated that ahead of the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election in 2021, Mayor Oh commissioned Myung Tae-kyun to conduct 10 public opinion polls and had Kim Han-jung, a businessman and supporter, pay the costs amounting to 33 million won on his behalf.

In response, the first-instance court concluded that 5 of these polls were conducted at Mayor Oh's request, and that the survey costs of 21 million won were also paid by Kim on his behalf, constituting an illegal political fund donation.

The matching timelines of the polls and the deposit dates served as the basis for this conclusion.

The court further pointed out that Mayor Oh has consistently evaded responsibility.

[Cho Hyung-woo, Presiding Judge of Criminal Division 22 of the Seoul Central District Court: Despite serving as a member of the National Assembly and the Mayor of Seoul, and being well aware of the legislative intent and contents of the Political Funds Act, he has maintained an attitude of failing to properly acknowledge his responsibility.]

Immediately after the sentencing, Mayor Oh kept his eyes fixed toward the bench with a heavy expression, stating that he could not accept the ruling and would appeal.

[Oh Se-hoon / Mayor of Seoul: Based solely on the statements of Myung Tae-kyun, a notorious liar, and circumstantial evidence, with absolutely no direct evidence, relying on deductions.]

On the other hand, the special prosecutor's team stated that it was a very meaningful ruling and that they would decide whether to appeal after analyzing the judgment.

(Photo courtesy of Yonhap News - Placeholder / Video by Yang Hyun-chul, Video Editing by Wi Won-yang, Design by Lee Ga-jin)