# Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's Appeal Verdict in Poll Payment Case Set for October 23

- URL: https://hallyu-brief.vercel.app/en/news/oh-se-hoon-political-funds-appeal-verdict-october-207d1c
- Published: 2026-10-18T08:50:47.885Z
- Publisher: Hallyu Brief

> Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's appeal verdict in a Political Funds Act case over alleged poll payments is set for October 23.

## Key points

1. The first-instance ruling fined Oh 10 million won and ordered a 21 million won additional penalty.
2. Under the Political Funds Act, a fine of 1 million won or more can bar him from office for five years.
3. The special prosecutors requested 1 year and 6 months in prison at the appeal hearing.

## What is the case about?

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is on trial over allegations that he received poll results from political broker Myung Tae-kyun in the run-up to the April 7, 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election, and that a long-time businessman supporter paid the costs. According to Yonhap News, the first-instance court found that Oh commissioned five polls and that 21 million won in costs was paid on his behalf. It sentenced him to a 10 million won fine and ordered the 21 million won additional penalty.

## When is the appeal verdict?

The Seoul High Court Criminal Division 7 will deliver the appeal verdict at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 23. Yonhap reported the schedule on October 18.

## Why could this affect his career?

Under Article 57 of the Political Funds Act, a fine of at least 1 million won for illegally receiving political funds bars the person from public office for five years after the sentence is finalized. If the first-instance ruling stands, Oh would lose his post and be unable to run in the next presidential election. The special prosecution team asked for 1 year and 6 months in prison and a 33 million won additional penalty at the appeal hearing.

## What else is on the court calendar?

Several related cases are moving forward the same week. On October 21, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 1 will deliver its appeal verdict in the insurrection-related case against former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, who was sentenced to 25 years at first instance. Appeal hearings in the forced repatriation of North Korean fishermen case are also scheduled.

## For international fans

Oh Se-hoon has served as Seoul mayor and is a widely covered figure in Korean politics. Because the verdict could decide whether he can run for president, it is closely watched by domestic media. The allegations are still unproven at the appeal stage, and the court's decision will determine the outcome.

## FAQ

### When will the appeal verdict for Oh Se-hoon be announced?

The Seoul High Court is scheduled to announce the appeal verdict at 2 p.m. on October 23.

### What is Oh Se-hoon accused of?

He is accused of violating the Political Funds Act by receiving poll results from political broker Myung Tae-kyun and having a businessman pay about 33 million won in costs.

### Could Oh Se-hoon still run for president?

If the first-instance ruling is upheld, he would be barred from public office for five years and could not run for president.

## Sources

- [Yonhap News](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20261017043700004)

_Written and translated with AI from official announcements and Korean media reports. If something is wrong, please let us know._