Seoul mayor's trial on political funding charges nears verdict after ex-president's conviction

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's political future hangs in the balance as his trial on charges of violating political funding laws nears its conclusion. The case centers on allegations that Oh accepted free public opinion polls conducted by political broker Myung Tae-kyun.

The proceedings have gained heightened attention following a recent guilty verdict against former President Yoon Suk-yeol for a similar offense. Yoon was sentenced to two years in prison for illegally obtaining the results of 14 public opinion polls worth 270 million won between April 2021 and March 2022. The prosecution alleged that Yoon and his wife secured nominations for certain individuals in exchange for these surveys.

In Oh's trial, the prosecution has requested an 18-month prison sentence and a forfeiture of 33 million won. The charges stem from allegations that Oh received the results of 10 polls from Myung ahead of the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election, with expenses paid by a sponsor. Oh has vehemently denied the accusations, calling them "baseless and trumped-up charges."

The verdict, expected on July 22, carries significant implications. If convicted and fined 1 million won or more, Oh will be automatically stripped of his mayoral position due to provisions in the Public Official Election Act and the Local Autonomy Act. The outcome of this trial will not only determine Oh's political career but also cast a shadow over the political landscape in Seoul.

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baseless and trumped-up charge with no single shred of proper evidence.