Seoul Mayor's Trial Verdict Looms, Potential By-Election Ahead

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who recently secured a historic fifth term, is now facing a critical juncture in a trial concerning alleged violations of the Political Funds Act. The case, stemming from accusations by political broker Myung Tae-gyun, centers on the alleged payment of 33 million won for unofficial opinion poll results during the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election. Oh is accused of receiving these results ten times from Myung and having his sponsor, businessman Kim Han-jung, cover the costs.

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The worst investigative agency in the world is one that indicts criminals and crime victims in reverse. In that sense, the special prosecutor Min Jung-ki is a truly malicious special prosecutor.

Myung Tae-gyun has become a central figure in the scandal, claiming Oh Se-hoon promised him an apartment and former lawmaker Kim Young-sun a position as head of SH Seoul Housing & Commercial Corp. Myung alleges Oh desperately sought his help before the election but then callously abandoned him afterward. This perceived betrayal fuels Myung's accusations, which he has publicly shared, including a recent Facebook post predicting a guilty verdict for Oh and a subsequent by-election. He even reportedly contacted the campaign of Oh's rival, Jung Kang-ho, suggesting Jung would win due to an impending by-election.

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I want everyone around me to do well, but what I hate most is betrayal. Oh Se-hoon, that bastard, could have become president just by staying still. So, the old man (Kim Chong-in) and I made a complete plan for him to become president.

Testimony from witnesses, including Myung and Kim Young-sun, has reportedly been unfavorable to Oh. Two individuals claim to have heard Oh directly admit to receiving poll results and arranging for his sponsor to pay for them. The court is expected to deliver its verdict within a month, following the prosecution's sentencing request next week. A conviction with a fine exceeding 1 million won would invalidate Oh's election, potentially triggering another by-election next spring.

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Congratulations on your election victory, Mayor Oh Se-hoon. I am not trying to rain on your parade, but as you know well, the first trial will result in a guilty verdict. Do not act rashly and exercise self-restraint.

Beyond the legal proceedings, the article also criticizes Oh Se-hoon's administration for its handling of safety issues. It points to the discovery of missing rebar in subway construction and the collapse of the Seosomun elevated road, suggesting a pattern of negligence. The article questions Oh's response to these incidents, particularly his initial downplaying of the rebar issue and his administration's failure to immediately report a collapse risk to the relevant authority, instead blaming the Korea National Railway.

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Before the election, Mr. Myung Tae-gyun called me. He must have heard that I became Jung Kang-ho's campaign spokesperson. He told me, 'Ms. Im Se-eun, Jung Kang-ho will lose.' I said, 'How can he lose?' He insisted, 'No, this poll is clearly distorted. According to Mr. Myung Tae-gyun, candidate Jung Kang-ho will lose, but candidate Oh Se-hoon will be found guilty in his trial, and a by-election will be held.' He asked me to help with that in mind.