Prosecutors Seek 1.5-Year Prison Term for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon; Mayor Denounces 'Politically Motivated Prosecution'

[Anchor]

Prosecutors have requested a one-year and six-month prison sentence for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who is on trial for allegedly receiving public opinion polls from Myung Tae-kyun and having a supporter cover the costs. If a final ruling of a fine of 1 million won or more is upheld, he will lose his position as mayor. Mayor Oh strongly protested, claiming the case was a "politically motivated prosecution" orchestrated for specific purposes.

Reporter Jang Hun-gyeong has the story.

[Reporter]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was indicted on charges of receiving public opinion polls from Myung Tae-kyun ahead of the Seoul mayoral by-election in April 2021 and having a supporter, Kim Han-jeong, pay the 33 million won cost on his behalf.

[Myung Tae-kyun (November last year): How would (Kim Han-jeong) make the deposit? Someone must have ordered it, and someone must have connected them. That person is Oh Se-hoon.]

The special counsel team investigating First Lady Kim Keon-hee requested a one-year and six-month prison sentence and the forfeiture of 33 million won for Mayor Oh during the final hearing held today (June 17).

The special counsel team pointed out, "As a prominent politician, he undermined the legislative purpose of ensuring transparency in political funds by having a third party pay for public opinion polls without following legal procedures."

They also emphasized that despite being the ultimate beneficiary of the crime, he has consistently denied the allegations and evaded responsibility throughout the investigation and trial process.

The special counsel team also requested one-year prison sentences for former Seoul Vice Mayor for Political Affairs Kang Cheol-won and the supporter, Kim, who were indicted alongside the mayor.

Mayor Oh strongly protested the request.

In his final statement, Mayor Oh argued, "I was indicted without a single piece of direct evidence, based solely on the words of Myung Tae-kyun and the statements of those who claimed to have heard him."

Mayor Oh claimed he was indicted by prosecutors subordinate to political interests and was even interrupted by the presiding judge while questioning the special counsel team on whether they had a clear conscience.

[Oh Se-hoon/Seoul Mayor: This was a 'politically motivated prosecution' specifically planned to align with the local election schedule. After seeing the court's verdict, I intend to consider filing charges for 'legal distortion' (against the special counsel team).]

If a final ruling of a fine of 1 million won or more is confirmed for violating the Political Funds Act, Mayor Oh will lose his mayoral seat.

The first-instance verdict is scheduled for July 22.

(Video Editing: Kim Jin-won)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.