Appeals court to rule on Seoul mayor's high-stakes political funds trial

What happened: An appeals court was set to rule Friday on Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's trial over political funds tied to opinion polls he allegedly received ahead of the 2021 mayoral by-election. Key numbers: Alleged payments totaled 33 million won across 10 occasions. Why it matters: If the Seoul High Court upholds the conviction and the ruling is finalized, Oh would lose his mayorship after winning a fifth term in June. Oh has maintained his innocence, and both he and the special counsel appealed the lower court ruling.

An appeals court was set to rule Friday on Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's trial over political funds tied to opinion polls he allegedly received ahead of the 2021 mayoral by-election.

If the Seoul High Court upholds the conviction and the ruling is finalized, Oh would lose his mayorship after winning a fifth term in June. Oh has maintained his innocence, and both he and the special counsel appealed the lower court ruling.