The prosecution has requested a six-month prison sentence in the appellate trial for Oh Taewan, the governor of Uiryeong County in Gyeongnam, who has been indicted on charges of forcible molestation.
At the sentencing hearing of the appellate trial held at the Changwon District Court Criminal Division 3-1 (Presiding Judge Oh Taekwon), the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office asked the court to impose this sentence on Governor Oh.
The prosecution argued, "Governor Oh committed the crime during an official event, a press conference, which makes the nature of the crime particularly bad. He continues to make incomprehensible excuses," and added, "He has not hesitated to commit secondary offenses, such as claiming political forces are behind the case or filing false accusations."
O Taewan, Uiryeong County Governor, heading to the courtroom during the first trial. Photo by Lee Seryeong
On this day, the court also questioned witness A, who attended the press conference at the time of the incident.
Witness A had previously stated during the investigation and the first trial that they saw Governor Oh holding the hand of victim B at the time of the incident, but testified in the appellate trial that they did not see it.
Witness A explained the reason for reversing their testimony, saying, "I testified as if I saw it because I felt sorry for B, a woman, fighting alone and wanted to help her," and added, "After being reported several times due to this case, I asked B for help but received no response and felt I was being used, so I decided to tell the truth."
Governor Oh's attorney stated, "Governor Oh did not make the statements or take the actions described in the indictment," and argued, "Even if he did, it would be a moral issue, not a case of forcible molestation," requesting a not guilty verdict.
In his final statement, Governor Oh said, "I am sorry for causing concern and distress to the residents due to this incident," and added, "I am doing my best with the determination to repay them through my work."
He continued, "There was no misconduct or sexual harassment at all," and appealed, "I ask the court to carefully consider my unfair situation."
Previously, Governor Oh was indicted on charges of forcibly molesting a female reporter, including grabbing her hand, while having dinner with reporters covering the county office at a restaurant in Uiryeong County in June 2021.
In the first trial, he was sentenced to six months in prison with a two-year suspended sentence, which would result in the loss of his governorship.
The sentencing hearing for this case is scheduled to take place at 1:50 p.m. on October 17.
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