A special prosecutor has requested a prison term of one year and six months [1] for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.
The sentencing request follows allegations that the mayor undermined public trust by bypassing political fund regulations during a critical election cycle.
The case centers on a poll commissioned in 2021 [1] during the Seoul mayoral by-election. Prosecutors said Oh violated the Political Funds Act by arranging for a businessman, Kim Han-jung, to pay 33.3 million won [1] for the survey. The poll was reportedly commissioned through a political broker named Myung Tae-kyun [1].
According to the special prosecutor's office, the payment constitutes a breach of law that damaged the integrity of the electoral process. The special prosecutor said, "Mayor Oh Se-hoon has damaged the trust of the people" [2].
Oh has denied the charges and challenged the legitimacy of the proceedings. He said the legal action was a politically motivated "ordered investigation" [2].
The legal process began after the case was sent to court in December 2023 [2]. The trial concluded approximately six months later, leading to the sentencing request reported in 2024 [2].
Oh continues to serve as the mayor of Seoul while the court determines whether the 18-month prison request is warranted. The final verdict will determine if the mayor's actions in 2021 constitute a criminal violation of campaign finance laws or a targeted political attack, a distinction that could impact his remaining tenure in office.
“"Mayor Oh Se-hoon has damaged the trust of the people"”
This case highlights the strict enforcement of South Korea's Political Funds Act, where third-party payments for campaign services can lead to criminal liability. If the court accepts the prosecutor's request, it could create a significant legal crisis for the Seoul mayor's office and set a precedent for how political brokers and businessmen are treated in campaign finance litigation.
