(3rd LD) Appeals court acquits Seoul mayor of political funds law violation

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SEOUL, Oct. 23 (Yonhap) -- An appeals court on Friday overturned a lower court ruling to acquit Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in his high-stakes political funds trial over opinion polls linked to the 2021 mayoral by-election.

The Seoul High Court found Oh not guilty of violating the Political Funds Act, reversing a lower court's conviction that had sentenced him to a 10 million-won (US$7,500) fine and put him at risk of losing his mayorship.

Following the acquittal, special counsel Min Joong-ki's team said it would appeal to the Supreme Court, calling the ruling "very disappointing," while Oh thanked Seoul city residents for their support.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon arrives at the Seoul High Court in southern Seoul on Oct. 23, 2026, to attend his trial on charges of violating the Political Funds Act. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Oh had been indicted on charges of having a political supporter make payments totaling 33 million won for opinion polls he allegedly received on 10 occasions from self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun ahead of the 2021 election.

While the Seoul Central District Court partially recognized the charges in July, the Seoul High Court said the allegations were not adequately proven.

The appeals court said the core points of the case relied heavily on Myung's testimony, which it said could not be fully trusted.

The lower court had ruled that Oh had asked Myung for opinion polls on five occasions and his supporter paid the power broker 21 million won. The district court also ordered Oh to forfeit the amount.

Both sides appealed the lower court ruling, with Min's team seeking an 18-month prison term and a forfeiture of 33 million won.

Under the Political Funds Act, elected officials are stripped of their seats if they receive a finalized fine of 1 million won or heavier punishment for improper acceptance of political funds.

Oh, who belongs to the main opposition People Power Party, is widely seen as a major figure in the party following his election to the office for a nonconsecutive fifth term in the June 3 local elections.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon (C) speaks to reporters outside the Seoul High Court in southern Seoul after the court acquitted him of charges of violating the Political Funds Act on Oct. 23, 2026. (Yonhap)

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr (END)

18-month prison term sought for Seoul mayor in appellate political funds trial

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(3rd LD) Appeals court acquits Seoul mayor of political funds law violation

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（注意：第三段更新了对裁决的反应；添加了照片）

首尔，10 月 23 日（韩联社）——周五，一家上诉法院推翻了下级法院此前对首尔市长吴世勋的判决，该判决此前宣告吴世勋在与 2021 年市长补选相关的民意调查中涉嫌政治资金舞弊案中无罪。

首尔高等法院裁定吴某违反政治资金法的罪名不成立，推翻了下级法院对其处以 1000 万韩元（约合 7500 美元）罚款并可能失去市长职位的判决。

无罪判决后，特别检察官闵仲基的团队表示将向最高法院提起上诉，称该判决“非常令人失望”，而吴则感谢首尔市民的支持。

2026年10月23日，首尔市长吴世勋抵达首尔高等法院，出席其因涉嫌违反《政治资金法》而受审的庭审。（联营照片）（韩联社）

吴某被指控在 2021 年大选前，让一名政治支持者支付总计 3300 万韩元，用于购买他据称从自称权力掮客的明泰均处获得的 10 次民意调查结果。

虽然首尔中央地方法院在7月份部分承认了这些指控，但首尔高等法院表示这些指控没有得到充分证实。

上诉法院表示，该案的核心要点严重依赖于明某的证词，而该证词不能完全可信。

下级法院裁定，吴某曾五次要求明某进行民意调查，其支持者向这位权势人物支付了2100万韩元。地方法院还判令吴某没收这笔款项。

双方均对下级法院的判决提出上诉，闵的团队寻求判处 18 个月监禁并没收 3300 万韩元。

根据《政治资金法》，当选官员如果因不当接受政治资金而被处以 100 万韩元的罚款或更重的处罚，将被剥夺议员资格。

吴先生是主要反对党人民力量党的成员，在6月3日的地方选举中当选为该党的重要人物，这是他第五次当选（非连续任期）。

2026年10月23日，首尔市长吴世勋（中）在首尔高等法院外接受记者采访。此前，法院宣判他无罪，免于违反《政治资金法》的指控。（韩联社）

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr (完)

首尔市长因政治资金案上诉，法官寻求判处其18个月监禁。

（导语）首尔市长因接受非法政治资金被判罚款1000万韩元

（第三届）现任首尔市长吴钊燮赢得连任，获得第五个任期。

（第三条）上诉法院宣告首尔市长政治资金法违规指控不成立