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🇸🇬 Singapore /Elections & Politics

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon convicted in political funds case, risks losing office

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was convicted and fined 10 million won for violating the Political Funds Act.
  • The conviction stems from political funds related to opinion polls conducted before the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election.
  • Oh faces potential removal from office due to the fine exceeding 1 million won, and he plans to appeal the ruling.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon faces the risk of losing his position after a court convicted him and imposed a 10 million won fine over a political funds case. The conviction is linked to opinion polls conducted before the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election.

The court found that Oh received polling services valued at 21 million won, with costs covered by a long-time supporter, violating the Political Funds Act. The court also ordered the forfeiture of 21 million won. Oh stated he would appeal the ruling, asserting he could not accept it.

Under South Korean law, elected officials must forfeit their office if they receive a fine over 1 million won or a jail sentence. Oh, currently serving his fifth term as Seoul mayor, is a prominent figure in the conservative opposition People Power Party. His potential removal comes after the ruling Democratic Party secured victories in most other major local races last month.

I cannot accept the ruling and will appeal.

— Oh Se-hoonSeoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated his intention to appeal the court's decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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