Seoul: The first formal trial regarding Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's alleged proxy payment for opinion poll expenses is scheduled to begin on March 4, with subsequent sessions occurring every two weeks, as announced by a court on Wednesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Central District Court organized the trial schedule for Oh, his supporter Kim Han-jung, and former Seoul Deputy Mayor Kang Cheol-won during a preparatory hearing. Oh faces charges from a special counsel team, alleging that Kim paid 33 million won (approximately US$22,400) on his behalf to Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed power broker, for ten public opinion surveys conducted from January to February 2021.

Oh has denied these allegations and has requested that the trial schedule be arranged to minimize any political impact ahead of the local elections in June. During the trial, key witnesses, including Kang Hye-kyung, who initially revealed the proxy payment suspicions, and Myung, are expected to attend their respective witness interrogations.