Seoul: The Supreme Court has upheld the acquittal of former Ulsan Mayor Song Cheol-ho and opposition lawmaker Hwang Un-ha, who were charged with election interference related to the 2018 mayoral election in Ulsan. The ruling confirms a previous decision from a lower court that found insufficient evidence to convict the two individuals.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Song was indicted in January 2020 on allegations of conspiring with Hwang and presidential aides to influence the outcome of the Ulsan mayoral election. During the period in question, Hwang, then serving as Ulsan's police chief, was accused of launching a controversial investigation into the campaign of Song's opponent, Kim Gi-hyeon, at the behest of Song and associates of former President Moon Jae-in.
Song successfully defeated Kim in the 2018 election and held the position of Ulsan mayor until 2022. Hwang, meanwhile, secured reelection to the National Assembly as a representative of the Rebuilding Korea Party in the previous year.
The Supreme Court's decision concludes a legal battle that lasted five years and seven months following their initial indictments. While the Seoul Central District Court initially found both Song and Hwang guilty in late 2023, the Seoul High Court later acquitted them in February, citing the low credibility of key witness testimonies.