(ATTN: UPDATES with reactions to ruling in 3rd para; ADDS photo)
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
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