Kim Min-seok says he sees no circumstances to change guilty verdict in Seoul mayor's appeal

Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok said, regarding the appellate ruling for Seoul Mayor A, that he had found no circumstances or new developments that would change the first-instance guilty verdict.

Kim said he was mentally preparing because he considered a new election for Seoul mayor highly likely.

The Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 7 is scheduled to hold A's appellate sentencing hearing on charges of violating the Political Funds Act at 2 p.m. that day. The ruling will be broadcast live under the special counsel law.

A was indicted on allegations of commissioning opinion polls ahead of the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election and having a supporter who is a businessperson pay the 33 million won cost on A's behalf.

On July 22, the first-instance court found A guilty of commissioning five of the 10 opinion polls and having 21 million won in costs paid on A's behalf, imposing a 10 million won fine and a 21 million won forfeiture order. A will lose the mayoral office if a sentence imposing a fine of at least 1 million won in this case becomes final.