The special counsel team has sought an 18-month prison sentence and forfeiture of 33 million won for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in an appeal over alleged third-party payments for opinion polls before the April 7, 2021, Seoul mayoral by-election. Oh denied discussing the polls in advance or using their results in his campaign, and said asking a donor to cover their cost would conflict with his political principles. The lower court found that Oh's side commissioned five polls and that businessman Kim Han-jung paid 21 million won, imposing a 10 million won fine and forfeiture of 21 million won. The special counsel also requested one-year prison terms for Kang Chul-won, former vice mayor for political affairs of Seoul, and Kim. Oh apologized for failing to sever ties quickly with Myung Tae-kyun but disputed the prosecution's account of his motive. The Seoul High Court is scheduled to deliver its appeal verdict at 2 p.m. on October 23. The final hearing also raised procedural questions over prosecutors' status after the revised Criminal Procedure Act abolished the Prosecutors' Office and established the Public Prosecution Agency.