Trial on Cheong's Interference in Ulsan Mayor Election Begins After 1 Year and 4 Months

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The trial over the 'Cheongwadae ordered investigation and election interference allegations' will begin 1 year and 4 months after the indictment.

According to the legal community on the 9th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21-3 (Presiding Judges Jang Yong-beom, Ma Seong-young, Kim Sang-yeon) will hold the first hearing at 2 p.m. on the 10th for 15 defendants including Lee Jin-seok, former Cheongwadae Social Policy Secretary (currently Cheongwadae Situation Room Director), Song Cheol-ho, Mayor of Ulsan, Baek Won-woo, former Cheongwadae Civil Affairs Secretary, and Park Hyung-chul, former Cheongwadae Anti-corruption Secretary, who were indicted on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.

Former Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Han Byung-do (currently a member of the Democratic Party of Korea), former Senior Administrative Officer Jang Hwan-seok of the Cheongwadae Balanced Development Secretary Office, former Ulsan Deputy Mayor Song Byung-gi, and former Ulsan Police Chief Hwang Un-ha (currently a member of the Democratic Party of Korea) are also defendants in this trial.

Since this trial is a public hearing where the defendants are obliged to appear, all 15 defendants are expected to attend the court. They did not attend the previous six preparatory hearings.

Previously, former Secretary Baek Won-woo and others were brought to trial on charges of requesting an investigation into Kim Ki-hyun, former Ulsan Mayor and competitor to Mayor Song (currently a member of the People Power Party), and receiving support from Cheongwadae officials during the establishment of the industrial accident hospital pledge.

Former Secretary Han Byung-do is accused of meeting with Im Dong-ho, former Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party and competitor in the party primary against Mayor Song Cheol-ho in February 2018, and suggesting high-ranking positions such as president of public enterprises to persuade him to withdraw his candidacy.

Last month, former Secretary Lee Jin-seok was indicted without detention on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act. Additionally, former Deputy Mayor Song Byung-gi was further indicted on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, and Yoon, a section chief-level official at Ulsan City Hall who is accused of sending internal Ulsan City Hall documents to former Deputy Mayor Song, was also indicted without detention.

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