'Election Interference Allegations' Song Cheol-ho and 13 Others Case... Assigned to Cho Kuk's Trial Panel

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The case involving 13 individuals, including Ulsan Mayor Song Cheol-ho, who were indicted on suspicion of Blue House interference in the Ulsan mayoral election, has been assigned to the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 (Presiding Judge Kim Miri). The Criminal Division 21 is the same court that handled the case of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk. This division is also currently hearing the case of Cho Gwon, the brother of former Minister Cho, who is implicated in the Woongdong Academy hiring corruption scandal.

On the 30th, the Seoul Central District Court assigned the case against Mayor Song and 12 others, who were indicted on charges including violation of the Public Official Election Act. The case was received following the prosecution's sudden indictment the previous afternoon. The court reportedly completed the assignment after internal discussions within a day of receiving the case.

Previously, the Public Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Tae-eun), which investigated this case, indicted 13 suspects at once, including Mayor Song, Ulsan Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs Song Byung-ki, and former Blue House Civil Affairs Secretary Baek Won-woo. Most of those indicted were charged with violating the Public Official Election Act.

At the time of indictment, the prosecution announced plans to sequentially complete investigations of other related individuals. They summoned Blue House Civil Affairs Secretary Lee Gwang-cheol for questioning the previous day and are summoning former Presidential Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok for questioning today. It is understood that indictments against these individuals are planned to be made after the 21st National Assembly election (April 15).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.