Seoul: South Korea’s political landscape was shaken on Monday as a special prosecutor formally indicted Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon for alleged violations of the nation’s political-funding laws. The high-profile indictment marks a significant escalation in an already widening investigation into election-related misconduct and influence-peddling involving senior political figures.
According to the special prosecutor’s office, Oh is accused of commissioning an opinion poll through a politically connected “power broker,” with a third party allegedly covering the costs. Prosecutors argue that the arrangement constitutes an illegal financial transaction under the Political Funds Act, which strictly regulates how political activities and campaign-related expenses can be financed.
Mayor Oh, one of the most influential leaders in the conservative People Power Party (PPP), strongly rejected the accusations. He condemned the indictment as “fabricated” and “politically motivated,” insisting that investigators have failed to present any concrete evidence. The mayor vowed to fight the charges vigorously, expressing confidence that the case would ultimately collapse.
The indictment is part of a sweeping probe that began in the aftermath of martial law declared on 3 December last year a moment that triggered broad inquiries into alleged election interference, corruption, and political manipulation across multiple levels of leadership. The investigation has already reached former president Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, who are also under scrutiny in a related influence-peddling scandal linked to the same power broker now implicated in Oh’s case.
With Oh having served as Seoul’s mayor twice first from 2006 to 2011 and again since 2021—his indictment carries significant political weight. He has long been viewed as a potential presidential contender, and any conviction could bar him from running for office, depending on the severity of penalties imposed.
Legal experts note that violations of the Political Funds Act can lead to fines or disqualification from future elections, raising the stakes for both the mayor and the future of conservative leadership. The ongoing probe has intensified public debate about political integrity in South Korea, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in campaign financing.
As the legal process moves forward, the indictment of Seoul’s top elected official underscores the depth of the current political crisis. Observers say the case will be closely watched not only for its implications for Oh Se-hoon’s career but also for what it may reveal about the broader networks of influence shaping South Korea’s political system.