Ruling Party Hails Oh Se-hoon's Acquittal as 'Truth Prevailing,' Demands Special Prosecutor Answer for Indictment

The People Power Party on the 23rd welcomed the appellate court's not-guilty verdict for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in the 'opinion survey slush fund' case, saying "truth prevails," and held the special prosecutor accountable for the indictment. Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk wrote on Facebook that day: "Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, fully acquitted. Truth prevails." He then urged the special prosecutor to take responsibility, saying, "The special prosecutor who indicted him over something that never stood a chance must answer for it." In a statement, senior party spokesperson Park Chung-kwon said, "It is all the more fortunate, and at the same time only natural, that the administration of Mayor Oh, whom ten million Seoul citizens entrusted through their vote, can now continue without disruption," adding, "The appellate verdict for Mayor Oh shows that truth prevails."

Spokesperson Park argued that the indictment itself was flawed. He pointed out, "It was a biased indictment from the start, relying without direct evidence on the word of only a few people," calling it "the product of a collateral investigation launched in a made-to-fit manner with a target in mind." He added, "The statements of a political broker who repeatedly changed his story ultimately fell short of being evidence to strip the mayor of his post." He said, "This verdict has shown that truth, even if it arrives late, will always find its rightful place."

He also stressed that the special prosecutor "must deeply reflect on shaking up Seoul's city administration and unsettling citizens with a reckless indictment." He demanded, "The prosecution should accept this verdict with humility and stop wasting taxpayer money on further reckless political indictments and trials."