O Tae-wan Uiryeong County Governor "Never Gave Money" ... Denies Election Law Violation in First Trial

Oh Tae-wan, the mayor of Uiryeong County, Gyeongnam, who is accused of violating the Public Official Election Act, denied the charges at the first trial held on the 16th at the Masan Branch of Changwon District Court.

According to the prosecution, Mayor Oh is accused of giving 9 million won in four installments to special public relations advisor A from March 15 to May 3 last year, ahead of the nationwide local elections, and having him send about 110,000 text messages influencing the election by May 31 of that year.

A was indicted on charges of using half of the amount for Mayor Oh’s election expenses, but spending the other half to pay off his own debts.

Oh’s defense attorney denied the prosecution’s allegations, stating, “The 9 million won was not provided, A used Mayor Oh’s money arbitrarily, and there was no quid pro quo relationship related to the election.”

O Tae-wan, Governor of Uiryeong County, Gyeongnam (center), is coming out of the courtroom.
[Photo by Lee Se-ryeong]

After the trial, Mayor Oh responded to reporters’ questions, saying, “I will sincerely participate in the upcoming trials.”

Earlier, Mayor Oh was investigated and indicted on two charges during the nationwide local elections last June: spreading false information under the Public Official Election Act and bribery and inducement. However, he was not prosecuted due to insufficient evidence.

Subsequently, the Changwon Division of the Busan High Court partially accepted the complainant’s request for reconsideration in December last year, leading to this trial.

The prosecution filed a petition for reconsideration against the court’s acceptance decision but it was dismissed.

The second trial, where witness examination will take place, is scheduled to be held at the same court on August 25 at 3:30 p.m.

Mayor Oh is also on trial for allegedly forcibly molesting a female reporter at a press conference held at a restaurant in Uiryeong County in 2021.

He was sentenced to six months in prison with a two-year suspended sentence in the first trial on February 10 but has appealed.

The first hearing of the appeal trial will be held on the 29th at Changwon District Court.