On the 21st, Oh Taewan, Governor of Uiryeong County in Gyeongnam, avoided losing his position after being acquitted at the first trial held at the Masan Branch of the Changwon District Court in Gyeongnam on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.
According to the court, Governor Oh was accused of giving 9 million won to Special Public Relations Advisor A on four occasions between March 15 and May 3, 2022, ahead of the nationwide local elections, and having over 110,000 text messages sent to influence the election by May 31 of that year.
Advisor A used 4.5 million won out of the 9 million won to pay off personal debts and the remaining 4.5 million won for election campaign expenses.
The prosecution claimed that Advisor A withdrew the money using a credit card with Governor Oh's permission, but Governor Oh's side argued that Advisor A withdrew and used the money arbitrarily without Oh's knowledge.
Oh Taewan, governor of Uiryeong County, Gyeongnam, is speaking about the first trial verdict related to allegations of violating the Public Official Election Act. Photo by Lee Seryeong
The court stated that although there are considerable doubts about the prosecution's case, it is difficult to conclude that the charges have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
"Even if Governor Oh had entrusted a credit card to Advisor A for election expenses, it is unusual that he was completely unaware of the withdrawals in a situation where smart banking is used, but various possibilities cannot be excluded," the court said.
The court continued, "It is possible that Advisor A used the money arbitrarily to resolve financial difficulties and used part of it for election expenses, and it is also possible that Governor Oh was unaware of the withdrawals because he usually did not check his account. These possibilities cannot be excluded beyond reasonable doubt."
"Even if the fact that 4.5 million won was used for sending text messages is acknowledged, it is difficult to see the act of delivering it to the sending agency instead of Governor Oh as a provision under the Public Official Election Act," the court added.
Immediately after the verdict, Governor Oh left the courtroom and said, "I pay my respects to the court for clearly seeing the substantive truth," and added, "I apologize for causing concern to the county residents and will work diligently for the remainder of my term."
He refrained from commenting on the forcible molestation charges, for which an appellate court verdict is scheduled in October.
Governor Oh was indicted on charges of forcible molestation for allegedly grabbing the hand of a female reporter during a dinner with county office reporters at a restaurant in Uiryeong County in June 2021. He was also brought to trial on related charges of false accusation.
In the first trial regarding the forcible molestation case, he was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, which would result in the loss of his position as governor.
The sentencing hearing for this case is scheduled to be held at 1:50 p.m. on October 17.
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