Hong Jun-pyo: "Lee Jae-myung Not Guilty Thanks to Judiciary's Hanahoe"

"Even the Judiciary Conducts Trials Based on Factional Logic"
"A Presidential Election Against a Criminal, Rather a Good Thing"
"Trusting the People Is the Right Attitude for the Presidential Election"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was acquitted in the second trial of a violation of the Public Official Election Act, while Hong Joon-pyo, mayor of Daegu, took a jab, saying it was "thanks to the Hana Association of the judiciary."

On the 27th, Mayor Hong said on social media (SNS), "It is truly regrettable that even the judiciary conducts trials based on factional logic." He added, "What can we do about the reality of the judiciary? Rather, it turned out well."

He stated, "Although I don't know when, it has become easier for us to face the next presidential election against criminals indicted for various crimes," and "If we change our mindset, a new path will appear." He emphasized, "Instead of relying on judges for the presidential election, trusting the people and approaching the next presidential election is the right attitude for politicians."

Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu. Provided by Daegu City

Mayor Hong also expressed criticism the day before the acquittal. On SNS, he said, "In the previous election law violation case, there was an incident where a strange Supreme Court justice overturned the ruling with the unprecedented reason that 'a passive lie is not a lie,'" and pointed out, "'Ihyeonryeong Bihyeonryeong (耳懸鈴 鼻懸鈴).' This ruling reminds me anew that the advancement or retreat of politicians should be decided by the people through elections, not by judges."

Earlier, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 6-2 (Presiding Judge Choi Eun-jung, Lee Ye-seul, Jeong Jae-o) announced that it "overturns the original judgment and acquits" Lee's charge of false statement under the Public Official Election Act. It overturned the first trial's sentence of one year imprisonment with two years probation, which was a disqualification sentence.