Why is Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon facing an 18-month prison term request in the political funds case?

The special counsel team says Oh violated the Political Funds Act by receiving opinion poll results tied to the 2021 mayoral by-election and by having a supporter pay for them. The team accused him of forcing a third party to cover the polling costs.

What did the lower court decide in Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s political funds trial?

The lower court fined Oh 10 million won and partly accepted the charges. It found that he had asked Myung Tae-kyun for opinion polls on five occasions and that his supporter paid 21 million won in total.

What is the possible consequence if Oh Se-hoon’s conviction becomes final?

If a finalized fine of 1 million won or more is imposed for accepting illegal political funds, elected officials lose their seats. That means Oh would risk losing his mayoral post if the punishment is upheld.

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

Listen

Summary

A special counsel team on Friday sought an 18-month prison term for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon at the Seoul High Court in a political funds case tied to opinion polls ahead of the 2021 mayoral by-election. The team said he violated the Political Funds Act and could lose his post if the sentence becomes final. Oh was indicted over allegations that a supporter paid 33 million won for polls he received from Myung Tae-kyun.

Key Facts

Under the Political Funds Act, elected officials lose their seats if they receive a finalized fine of 1 million won or more for accepting illegal political funds.
Oh was indicted on charges that a supporter paid 33 million won for opinion poll results he received 10 times from Myung Tae-kyun before the April 2021 mayoral by-election.
The lower court partially recognized the charges and ruled that Oh had asked Myung for opinion polls on five occasions, with his supporter paying a total of 21 million won.
Oh is serving a fifth term as Seoul mayor after winning the June 3 local elections.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 2, 2026 3:29 pm KST

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon appears for the final hearing of his appellate trial on violating the Political Funds Act at the Seoul High Court in southern Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

A special counsel team on Friday sought an 18-month prison term for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in a political funds case over opinion polls conducted in the lead-up to the 2021 mayoral by-election.

Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team made the request at the Seoul High Court after a lower court fined Oh 10 million won ($7,400) for violating the Political Funds Act, putting him at risk of losing his mayoral post.

Under the law, elected officials are stripped of their seats if they receive a finalized fine of 1 million won or heavier punishment for accepting illegal political funds.

Oh was indicted on charges of having a supporter pay 33 million won for opinion poll results he received on 10 occasions from self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun ahead of the by-election in April 2021.

The lower court partially recognized the charges, ruling that Oh had asked Myung for opinion polls on five occasions and his supporter paid a total of 21 million won.

"Defendant Oh Se-hoon is a prominent politician who, more than anyone else, is in a position to follow the Political Funds Act," Min's team said, accusing him of forcing a third party to pay for the opinion polls.

Oh is currently serving a fifth term as Seoul mayor after his victory in the June 3 local elections.

Explore More