Special Prosecutor Moves to Verify Full Recordings After Myung Tae-kyun's 'Oh Se-hoon Doesn't Know' Remarks
"Oh Se-hoon Doesn't Know"... Special Prosecutor Begins Reviewing Full Recordings After Myung Tae-kyun's Court Remarks
A single remark from Myung Tae-kyun has shaken both the trial and the special prosecutor's investigation. Speaking in court, Myung said, "Oh Se-hoon doesn't know," prompting the special prosecutor to launch a review of the complete recordings to verify the remark's authenticity. The case stems from the first-instance verdict that effectively invalidated Oh Se-hoon's election as Seoul mayor. The lower court ordered Mayor Oh to pay a fine of 10 million won and forfeit 21 million won. A disqualification from election office means that once a fine of 10 million won or more is finalized, the individual loses their seat or elected position.
The Structure of the Case and the Dispute Over Transcripts
Oh's legal team has appealed, denying that he ever commissioned public opinion polls or requested that their costs be paid on his behalf. The central issue in the trial is the interpretation of the phone calls between Myung and Mayor Oh, and the transcripts of those conversations. The situation grew more complicated when Myung stated in court, regarding a specific matter, that "Oh Se-hoon doesn't know." The remark could work in the mayor's favor or against him. To confirm the full context of the statement, the special prosecutor has decided to review the entire recordings. Rather than edited transcripts or excerpted phrases, the original, unedited recordings are increasingly likely to serve as the standard for judging the case.
Twin Impacts: The Trial and the Special Investigation
For Mayor Oh, the outcome of the appeal is directly tied to his political survival. The moment a 10 million won fine is finalized, he would lose his post as Seoul mayor, making the court's overall assessment of the recordings a critical variable. If the recordings contain the entirety of the phone conversations, the full picture of the matter could emerge objectively, unlike the previous exchanges that highlighted only selected portions. The special prosecutor's investigation has also been forced to reassess its direction. As it examines discrepancies between testimony and the recordings, additional summons or supplementary investigations are expected. In effect, a statement made not by investigators but in court has substantially expanded the scope of the special investigation.
Outlook and What to Watch
Two things are worth watching closely. First, whether the appeals court will admit the full recordings as evidence and reflect their contents in its ruling; second, whether the special prosecutor will adjust the subjects or allegations of its investigation based on the review. If the recordings are released in full, the dispute over whether the transcripts were edited is likely to be largely resolved. Whether Myung's courtroom statements will stand as given also remains to be seen. Trials move on the record, but because they are ultimately a process of judging human words, moments when a single statement turns an entire case are bound to recur.
