Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has strongly opposed the guilty verdict in the first trial regarding the polling scandal and announced plans to appeal. His team argues that the court found him guilty based solely on circumstantial evidence and witness statements without direct proof.
On July 22, a statement from Lee Jong-hyun, a special advisor for public communication in Seoul, described the ruling as "a verdict based on possibilities without evidence," making it unacceptable.
The main point of contention for Oh's team is the court's evaluation of the evidence. They assert that no objective evidence was presented to prove that Oh directly instructed or was involved in the commissioning or payment of the polls, yet he was still convicted.
The advisor pointed out that the ruling is difficult to accept when viewed against the fundamental principle of criminal trials, which requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt. They expressed particular concern that the testimony of Myung Tae-kyun and surrounding circumstances were essentially the primary basis for the verdict.
Oh's team believes that some facts revealed during the trial actually support his innocence. For instance, evidence suggests that the survey was drafted before the time Myung's side claims they received the polling request, and there are records indicating that materials were exchanged without the campaign's knowledge. Given these circumstances, they argue that all ten charges should be dismissed.
Oh's camp is focusing on defining the essence of the case as a "circumstantial trial without direct evidence." They plan to make the credibility of Myung's testimony and the interpretation of circumstantial evidence key issues in the appeal.
Politically, this statement carries significance beyond a mere legal response. Although the guilty verdict from the first trial has dealt a considerable blow, the fact that the ruling is not yet final allows for the possibility of overturning it in the appeals court, which they aim to convey to both their supporters and the Seoul city organization.
Oh's team intends to contest the facts and legal principles in the appeals court. They will particularly emphasize the lack of direct evidence and the credibility of Myung's testimony, aiming to correct what they see as errors in the first trial's judgment.
As a result, the case is expected to lead to intense legal battles over the admissibility of evidence and the credibility of testimonies in the appeals court. Whether the court will maintain the same conclusion as in the first trial or accept Oh's claims and reach a different judgment is likely to become a major point of interest in the political arena.
Meanwhile, during a meeting with senior officials, Mayor Oh focused on addressing concerns about potential gaps in governance following the first trial's verdict.
He expressed regret for causing worry among staff due to his personal trial, emphasizing the need to prevent any disruption within the organization.
Oh stated, "The first trial's verdict contains significant errors in both factual and legal judgments," and expressed confidence that it would be corrected in the higher court. He reiterated his belief that the outcome could be reversed through the appeals process.
He particularly stressed the importance of continuity in city governance, urging staff to perform their duties to the best of their abilities, regardless of the circumstances.
This message is interpreted as an effort to preemptively address concerns about potential governance gaps following the guilty verdict and to stabilize the organization. It clearly indicates his intention to continue fulfilling his role as mayor while preventing any unrest within the Seoul city administration.
Oh concluded, "I will also lead the city with a responsible attitude to keep my promises to the citizens without wavering."
Political analysts suggest that this message reflects an intention to separate legal responses from governance operations. By appealing the first trial's verdict while simultaneously emphasizing his commitment to his responsibilities as mayor, Oh aims to ensure stability in governance and rally support among his base.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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