Song Cheol-ho "Anger over Prosecutors' Politically Motivated Distortion, Fabricated Investigation, and Unreasonable Indictment"

Press Conference Announcing the Prosecution's Rebuttal to Non-Detention Indictment

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Yoseop] Ulsan Mayor Song Cheol-ho expressed his position of "anger at the prosecution's politically motivated distorted and fabricated investigation and unreasonable indictment" regarding the prosecution's decision to indict without detention in the Blue House's ordered investigation and election interference suspicion case.

Mayor Song held a press conference at 2 p.m. on the 30th at the Ulsan City Hall Press Center and said, "After a long-term investigation that lasted several months, I deeply regret the prosecution's unreasonable indictment yesterday, which included me and former and current colleagues," expressing his stance.

Mayor Song apologized, saying, "I apologize to the citizens of Ulsan and my fellow public officials who are anxious because of this, regardless of the truth of the case."

He continued, "Despite the prosecution's unreasonable indictment, I will lead Ulsan's administration steadily without the slightest wavering," and urged, "I ask my fellow public officials to trust me and remain steadfastly dedicated to their duties."

On the 30th at 2 PM, Ulsan Mayor Song Cheol-ho held a press conference at the Ulsan City Hall Press Center to announce his position on the prosecution's non-detention indictment. Photo by Yoon Yo-seop

Mayor Song fully denied the allegations against him, stating, "The claim that I requested former Ulsan Police Chief Hwang Unha to investigate Kim Gi-hyeon's close associates' misconduct and asked Blue House officials to postpone the preliminary feasibility announcement of the Sanjae Mo Hospital construction project is a clear lie and truly sounds like a novel." He repeatedly denied, "The investigation request is absurd, and I have never tried to sabotage the Sanjae Mo Hospital for election purposes."

He added, "The statute of limitations (6 months) under the Public Official Election Act has already passed," and "During the period when the prosecution applied the Public Official Election Act violation charges, I was a civilian."

Mayor Song raised his voice, saying, "The prosecution's investigation into ordered investigations and election interference originated from conflicts between the prosecution and police arising from Kim Gi-hyeon's associates' corruption and the Ulsan whale meat refund case," and emphasized, "These cases must be fully reinvestigated first."

Finally, Mayor Song pledged, "I will ensure that the truth is revealed in court and that the honor of the citizens of Ulsan and myself is restored."

The Public Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Tae-eun) indicted 13 people without detention on the 29th, including Mayor Song, former Ulsan Deputy Mayor for Economy Song Byung-gi, former Ulsan Police Chief Hwang Unha, former Blue House Civil Affairs Secretary Baek Won-woo, and former Anti-Corruption Secretary Park Hyung-cheol, on charges including violations of the Public Official Election Act related to this case.

Former Blue House Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Han Byung-do, former Senior Administrative Officer Jang Hwan-seok of the Balanced Development Secretary's Office, and former Administrative Officer Moon Mo of the Civil Affairs Secretary's Office, who participated in investigations related to former Ulsan Mayor Kim Gi-hyeon and discussions on Mayor Song's election pledges, were also collectively brought to trial.

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