The appeal trial has begun for O Tae-wan, governor of Uiryeong County in Gyeongnam, who was sentenced to removal from office in the first trial on charges of falsely accusing a woman who was the victim of sexual assault.
The Criminal Division 1 of Changwon District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Juyeon, Judges Kwak Richan and Eo Seunguk) held the first appeal hearing for Governor O on the morning of October 2, 2025.
O Tae-wan, governor of Uiryeong County, Gyeongnam, is leaving the courtroom building of Changwon District Court after the first appeal trial related to false accusation charges. Photo by Lee Seryeong
Governor O was indicted on charges of forcibly molesting a female reporter, identified as A, by grabbing her hand and making sexually harassing remarks while dining with reporters covering the county office at a restaurant in Uiryeong County on June 17, 2021.
He counter-sued A, claiming she had politically motivated intentions in filing the complaint against him, and accused her of false accusation and defamation by spreading false information. In response, A filed another complaint against Governor O for false accusation.
Governor O consistently maintained his innocence regarding the molestation charges; however, in March 2025, the Supreme Court finalized a sentence of a 10 million won fine and ordered him to complete 10 hours of a sexual violence treatment program.
For the charge of false accusation, he was sentenced in the first trial in April 2025 to eight months in prison, suspended for two years.
At the time, the first trial court stated, "The defendant insisted that the victim's complaint was a political scheme, raised conspiracy theories, and took a stance that directly denied the complainant's claims. This can be regarded as secondary harm to the victim, the nature of the crime is not light, and the defendant has not been forgiven by the victim."
The court added, "However, the degree of the initial molestation incident that triggered this case cannot be considered severe, there was no substantial risk of criminal punishment for the complainant, and the defendant eventually admitted to and reflected on his wrongdoing. These factors were taken into account."
Both Governor O and the prosecution appealed the first trial's verdict, citing the sentencing as unfair. Previously, the prosecution had sought a sentence of one year and six months in prison for Governor O.
Elected public officials lose their positions if a sentence of imprisonment or higher is finalized in a general criminal case.
Immediately after the first appeal hearing, Governor O stated, "I have apologized to the victim and we are in the process of reaching a settlement."
The next appeal hearing for Governor O's false accusation case is scheduled for November 13, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
