Oh Se-hoon: "Opposition's 'Lee Jae-myung Not Guilty' Protest, a Shameful Loyalty Competition"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon criticized local government heads and basic/regional council members affiliated with the Democratic Party of Korea for holding protests demanding a not-guilty verdict for Representative Lee Jae-myung, calling it a "shameful loyalty competition."

On the 12th, Mayor Oh wrote on Facebook, "It is said that the pro-Lee faction is conducting an online petition campaign for a not-guilty verdict. It is all a loyalty competition toward Representative Lee Jae-myung," adding, "The only ones political parties and politicians should compete in loyalty for are the people."

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is attending the '2024 Seoul Gourmet Week - Traditional Market Tour Kimchi Class' held at the Youth Mall in Gyeongdong Market, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul on the 8th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

He then addressed Representative Lee, stating, "If a presidential candidate standing before the people is being tried on multiple criminal charges, it would be proper to stand humbly in court with a repentant heart. However, Representative Lee is instead turning the party and the National Assembly into 'bulletproof shields,' intimidating the prosecution and judiciary, or sweet-talking with the budget."

Mayor Oh continued his criticism aimed at the opposition party: "They seem indifferent to the suspension of functions of national institutions like the Constitutional Court or the Korea Communications Commission, and as the verdict approaches, they hold bulletproof outdoor rallies every weekend," he said. "In such a situation, they competitively engage in loyalty competitions toward Representative Lee Jae-myung. Is there no politician within the Democratic Party who feels ashamed?"

Mayor Oh also pointed out, "I cannot help but highlight the severe misunderstanding and ignorance about the trial. A trial is where a judge establishes the facts and applies the law," adding, "The act of shouting unconditionally for a not-guilty verdict reminds me of the 'won-nim trial' during the Joseon Dynasty or the scene when ministers pleaded 'Please show mercy' during the Seonwi disturbance."