오세훈 '여론조사비 대납' 1심 벌금 천만 원 선고 의미는? [이슈플러스] / YTN

■ Hosts: Anchor Yoo Da-won, Anchor Jung Jin-hyung ■ Guest: Attorney Yang Ji-min The text below may differ from the actual broadcast content. Please refer to the broadcast for more accurate information. When citing, please specify [YTN News PLUS]. [Anchor] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was sentenced to a fine of 10 million won in the first trial regarding allegations of paying for public opinion polls on behalf of others. If this ruling is finalized, he faces an unprecedented crisis that could result in the loss of his mayoral position. We will examine the details with Attorney Yang Ji-min. Mayor Oh Se-hoon's first trial took place today. First, let's watch the scene of the court's ruling today. He was ultimately sentenced to lose his mayoral position in the first trial; how did you view today's verdict? Did you expect this? [Yang Ji-min] Personally, I think it would have been difficult to predict a fine of up to 10 million won. This is because it was a situation where there was no direct evidence. For example, since the situation did not involve the release of audio recordings containing Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s request to commission a public opinion poll, I believe the prediction of an acquittal was actually somewhat heavier. However, despite this, the court's guilty verdict appears to be based on a comprehensive assessment of various circumstantial evidence. These include contact with sponsors—such as former Vice Mayor Kang, who is considered a close aide to Mayor Oh (though not a direct link to him)—and the circumstances surrounding the exchange of funds, as well as the fact that the poll was received and the subsequent reactions. The court likely determined that there was sufficient motive to warrant a guilty verdict. Furthermore, given that Mayor Oh has served multiple terms and has spent a long time as a politician, the court appears to have viewed this offense more seriously, reflecting an assessment that the nature of the crime is particularly egregious. [Anchor] You mentioned that while you leaned slightly more toward an acquittal, the sentence was heavier than expected. However, if the sentence is finalized as is, wouldn't he lose his position as mayor and be unable to run for the next presidential election? In a way, it seems that Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has fallen into the biggest crisis of his political career. [Yang Ji-min] That is correct. It certainly appears to be a significant political burden. Of course, since this is a first-instance ruling, measures such as the revocation of eligibility to run for office or the invalidation of the election result will only be implemented after the case goes to the Supreme Court and the trial is finalized. Therefore, although there is still some time, I think the person involved must feel considerable pressure regarding how to overturn this. Currently, if a person receives a fine of 1 million won or more for violating the Political Funds Act, their election is invalidated, and in fact, if a fine is imposed, their eligibility to run for office is revoked for five years. Therefore, since this situation could block future presidential bids and create a political vacuum, I believe the political burden regarding this matter is immense. [Anchor] If we look closely at the court's judgment, it determined that there is a significant possibility that Mayor Oh commissioned Mr. Myeong Tae-gyun to conduct the opinion poll. As you mentioned earlier, this was not direct evidence but rather circumstantial evidence; does this mean the court ruled that the circumstantial evidence is sufficient? [Yang Ji-min] That is correct. From the court's perspective, the fact that Mayor Oh Se-hoon met with Mr. Myung... (omitted) YTN Koo Soo-bon ([email protected]) ▶ Original Article : https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0103_202607... ▶ Send a Tip : https://mj.ytn.co.kr/mj/mj_write.php ▣ Subscribe to YTN YouTube Channel : http://goo.gl/Ytb5SZ ⓒ YTN Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, and use of AI data are prohibited