(LEAD) Appeals court acquits Seoul mayor in political funds trial

The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) expressed satisfaction on Friday following the appeals court's ruling to acquit Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in a contentious political funds case. The case, which had threatened to cost the mayor his position, hinged on allegations of soliciting opinion poll funds from a self-proclaimed power broker, Myung Tae-kyun, during the 2021 mayoral by-election.

Oh, who had previously been fined 10 million won by a lower court for contravening the Political Funds Act, was acquitted on appeal. The PPP's chief spokesperson, Park Choong-kwon, hailed the decision as both a relief and a necessary outcome for the city's administration to function uninterrupted. "The ruling demonstrates that truth invariably prevails, even if it takes time," Park remarked, affirming the PPP's belief in the justice system's efficacy.

The indictment centered on claims that Oh had engaged in a scheme where a political supporter procured 33 million won worth of opinion polls on ten separate occasions from Myung. Under the stipulations of the Political Funds Act, public officials can be removed from office if they are found guilty of receiving such illicit funding.