An appeals court on Friday acquitted Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon of political funding charges linked to opinion polls conducted ahead of his 2021 election, overturning a conviction that threatened his political future. The verdict given by a panel of judges at the Seoul High Court, led by Ku Hoi-geun, reversed a July sentence imposing a fine of 10 million won ($7,500) and ordering the forfeiture of 21 million won. The case centered on allegations that Oh commissioned polls from political broker Myung Tae-kyun ahead of the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election and had his supporter, Kim Han-jung, cover the costs. Prosecutors brought charges involving 10 polls and payments totaling 33 million won. "Myung Tae-kyun’s testimony, which constitutes virtually the only evidence, is difficult to believe on the whole," Judge Ku said. Under the Political Funds Act, elected officials are stripped of their seats if they receive a finalized fine of 1 million won ($750) or a heavier penalty for improper acceptance of political funds. The central dispute was whether Oh had requested the polls and knew that Kim was