Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Accused of 'Spreading False Information'... Police Launch Full-Scale Investigation

Morning of the 26th: Current Seoul City Hall Employee Questioned as Witness
Decision on Summoning Mayor Oh After Securing Related Testimony

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don, Trainee Reporter Oh Gyu-min] The police have launched a full-scale investigation into the case where Hwang Un-ha, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, filed a complaint against Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon for allegedly spreading false information.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit announced on the morning of the 26th that they have summoned a current official from Seoul City Hall for a witness investigation.

Earlier, Mayor Oh claimed in September last year, regarding the police investigation into his alleged violation of election laws, that "I protest against the public security police conducting illegal investigations," and stated, "Considering the excessive search and seizure and violations of the Criminal Procedure Act during the investigation process, there is suspicion that the police's planned investigation was ordered by the Blue House."

He also asserted, "The prosecution's investigation has revealed in detail that the Blue House's Civil Affairs Office, the prosecution, and the Ulsan Police Agency intervened in the election to ensure the victory of Song Cheol-ho, a friend of President Moon Jae-in and candidate for Ulsan mayor."

In response, Hwang, who was the head of the Ulsan Police Agency at the time, filed a complaint, stating that "without any basis, the mayor raised an absurd suspicion that the police conducted illegal investigations targeting him under orders from the Blue House."

The police plan to secure related statements through the witness investigation on the day and then decide whether to summon Mayor Oh.