Appeals court acquits Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in political funds case

The Seoul High Court on Friday acquitted Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon of violating the Political Funds Act, overturning a lower court's conviction and 10 million won ($7,500) fine, Yonhap reported. The fine could have cost Oh his office if upheld.

Oh had been charged over opinion polls tied to the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election. The Korea Herald reported that the court found insufficient evidence that Oh asked political broker Myung Tae-kyun to run the polls and had a supporter pay for them. Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team called the ruling disappointing and said it would appeal.

Why it matters: Unless the Supreme Court reverses the ruling, Oh no longer faces losing his post over the charges.