Special prosecutors asked an appeals court to sentence Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to 18 months in prison over allegations that a supporter paid for opinion polling linked to his 2021 mayoral campaign. At the closing hearing on October 2, the prosecution also requested that the court order Oh to forfeit 33 million won. The Seoul High Court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on October 23.
Oh is accused of conspiring with former Seoul vice mayor Kang Cheol-won to obtain polling from political broker Myung Tae-kyun before the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election, while businessman Kim Han-jung allegedly covered the cost. Prosecutors say Oh received the results of 10 surveys. A lower court found him guilty in connection with five of them and imposed a fine of 10 million won.
- Requested sentence
- 18 months in prison
- Requested forfeiture
- 33 million won
- Appeal ruling
- Scheduled for October 23
- Lower-court sentence
- Fine of 10 million won
That lower-court penalty would exceed the threshold with direct consequences for Oh's office if it became final. Under the political funds rules cited in reporting on the case, a confirmed fine of at least 1 million won would cost him the mayoralty. The prosecution's new sentencing request does not itself remove him from office, and the immediate practical position remains unchanged while the appellate ruling is pending.
The special counsel argued that Oh, as a prominent political figure, had a heightened duty to comply with political finance law. It said he had denied the allegations and avoided responsibility during the investigation and trial, making a severe punishment necessary. Prosecutors also sought one-year prison terms for Kang and Kim, matching the requests made at the first trial.
A disputed recording shapes the defense
Oh again denied discussing, requesting or using the surveys. In his final statement, he said he did not fear losing his position as much as deepening public distrust in politics. He also expressed regret that he had not cut ties with Myung more decisively, while maintaining that he was not involved in arranging the polling payments.
The appeal has also focused on a newly admitted recording of a call between Kim and Myung. In the recording, Kim reportedly said he acted alone, and Myung replied that Oh did not know. Oh's lawyers say the exchange supports their argument that the mayor was unaware of the polling request. Myung's side disputes that interpretation, arguing that the remark concerned political strategy rather than whether Oh knew about the surveys. The court's October 23 judgment will determine whether the lower-court findings and penalty stand, change or are overturned.