Kim Ki-hyun: "Ulsan Mayor Election Interference Won't End with Scapegoating"

Kim Ki-hyun "Can't Hide the Core... Like Covering Eyes and Pretending"
Im Jong-seok Opposes Prosecution of Former Chief Secretary and Lee Jin-seok, Director of National Situation Room

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, stated on the 10th regarding the prosecution's judgment on the Ulsan mayoral election interference suspicion case, "It will not end with scapegoating," and insisted, "The main culprit who trampled on democracy must be punished through a thorough reinvestigation."

On the same day, Kim said through social media (SNS), "The prosecution's handling result yesterday by Prosecutor Lee Seong-yoon regarding the heinous acts of the Blue House violating the constitution and election is a clear demonstration of what political prosecution truly is, why President Moon cherishes Lee Seong-yoon, and why Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol was ousted," adding, "If they think they can hide the main culprit by scapegoating, they are mistaken. It's like 'covering one's eyes and pretending not to see.'"

He said, "When I was investigated as a witness by the prosecution as a victim, I visually confirmed evidence showing that Song Cheol-ho, then a lawyer, and Lim Jong-seok, then Chief of Staff at the Blue House, met at the Blue House and that Lim was involved in the Ulsan mayoral election," and added, "I will reveal the truth to the end."

Kim stated, "It is absolutely unacceptable for the punishment of the ringleaders who abused public authority for selfish gains, trampled on South Korean democracy, and manipulated the election to be swept under the rug."

Earlier, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office indicted Lee Jin-seok, Chief of the Blue House National Situation Room, and Song Byung-gi, former Deputy Mayor of Ulsan City for Economic Affairs, on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act related to the Ulsan mayoral election interference suspicion. Lee is accused of receiving a request in October 2017 from Song and others to delay the announcement of the preliminary feasibility study results for the industrial accident hospital until the Ulsan public hospital pledge was concretely established, and providing internal information related to the Ulsan public hospital in March 2018.

The prosecution also dismissed charges against nine individuals, including former Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs Cho Kuk and Civil Affairs Secretary Lee Kwang-cheol, regarding the Blue House's alleged directive investigation, and seven individuals, including former Senior Secretary Cho Kuk and former Chief of Staff Lim Jong-seok, regarding vote-buying suspicions, citing insufficient evidence.

Meanwhile, Lim and others have also opposed the prosecution's decision. Lim stated on SNS, "If the Blue House was organizationally involved as the prosecution claims, how could Lee Jin-seok, who was a secretary at the time, be the person responsible for the matter?" He added, "The prosecution itself seemed to realize this was not the case and forcibly summoned Lim Jong-seok as a suspect, but if they cannot find charges, it is only natural to close the case." He also said, "Lee Jin-seok is not a politician. He is a good person with expertise in medicine and welfare as a professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine. That is why I am even more upset."