SEOUL, July 22 (Reuters) – A South Korean court on Wednesday convicted Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and fined him 10 million won ($6,759) over a political funds case linked to opinion polls conducted ahead of the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election.
The court found Oh received polling services worth 21 million won and had a longtime supporter cover the costs, in violation of the Political Funds Act, and ordered the forfeiture of 21 million won, according to a court statement.
Oh said he could not accept the ruling and would appeal.
The ruling puts Oh, who was re-elected in June, at risk of losing his office. Under South Korean law, elected officials forfeit office if they receive a fine exceeding 1 million won or a jail term.
Oh is serving a fifth term in the powerful role as Seoul mayor. He is regarded as a leading figure in the main conservative opposition People Power Party (PPP) after President Lee Jae Myung’s ruling Democratic Party swept most other major local races in elections last month.
($1 = 1479.6 won)
(Reporting by Kyu-seok ShimEditing by Ed Davies)
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