Prosecutors Search Mayor Oh Sehoon's Office and Residence
Seoul City: "Expected to Be Related to Myeong Taegyun, Will Cooperate"
Meetings with Supporters and Poll Allegations Called "Lies"
"Thorough Prosecution Investigation Will Reveal the Truth"
The prosecution investigating allegations that 'political broker' Myeong Taegyun was involved in secretly paying for public opinion polls has launched a forced investigation into Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on the 20th. While the Seoul Metropolitan Government expressed willingness to cooperate, it has repeatedly denied the allegations raised so far.
The special investigation team at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office handling the Myeong Taegyun case (led by Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Ji-hyung) is investigating whether the 33 million KRW transferred in five installments by businessman Kim Han-jung to Myeong in February and March 2021, ahead of the April 7, 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election, is related to Mayor Oh. The investigation team is also known to have conducted searches not only at Mayor Oh’s office but also at the residence of former Seoul Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs Kang Cheol-won.
On the day, Shin Seon-jong, the city spokesperson, said, "It is expected to be related to the Myeong Taegyun case, but the city will verify the scope of the warrant with a lawyer present and respond cooperatively."
Mayor Oh has actively denied the related allegations so far. His claim is based on the fact that during the 2021 by-election, the Oh Se-hoon campaign never received any unpublished public opinion polls from Myeong. Since there was no benefit gained from Myeong’s fraudulent and manipulated unpublished polls, the allegation of 'Oh Se-hoon public opinion poll payment' is groundless.
Regarding reports that Myeong, Mayor Oh, and businessman Kim?known as a supporter of Mayor Oh?held a 'three-party meeting' during the by-election process, the mayor has maintained the position that it is "an outright lie." Mayor Oh recently stated, "I have firmly said several times that after pointing out the problems with Myeong Taegyun’s test first public opinion poll and dismissing him, I have never made any requests or had any discussions with him," adding, "Initially, I thought Myeong Taegyun was not worth dealing with and cut ties, so there is no reason for a three-party meeting."
He also distances himself from the 'public opinion poll manipulation' allegations. Mayor Oh said, "Myeong Taegyun and his group have not been able to provide any answers for months to our demand to disclose when and to whom the results of 13 unpublished public opinion polls were delivered," and added, "Even assuming that they were delivered, how would unpublished polls, which are punishable if disclosed, help in party primaries and unification where the outcome is decided by public opinion polls among ordinary citizens? Is there any fool in the world who would spend money on such data that does not help elections at all?"
He also denies Myeong’s claim that a former lawmaker Kim Young-sun was promised the position of president of SH Corporation (Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation), calling it a "fantasy novel." Lee Jong-hyun, Seoul City’s Special Advisor for Public Communication, recently stated, "Mayor Oh’s philosophy is never to promise positions," and urged, "First, disclose to whom the 13 unpublished polls that no one on Oh Se-hoon’s side received were given."
Some speculate that the prosecution, accelerating the investigation, may soon summon Mayor Oh for questioning. On the 11th, Mayor Oh said, "Only the prosecution investigation can reveal how absurd the claims made by Myeong and his group are," and added, "If summoned, I am willing to cooperate with the investigation at any time."
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