Kim Dong-yeon, the Governor of Gyeonggi Province, said on the 26th regarding the Seoul High Court's ruling of not guilty in the second trial of Lee Jae-myung, the representative of the Democratic Party, for violating the Public Official Election Act, that it was "the just outcome of the universe." Pointing out that Kim, a contender in the opposition's presidential race, posted on Facebook that he was "glad that the prosecution's excessive indictment has finally been corrected."
Former Governor Kim Kyung-soo also noted, "From the beginning, it was an investigation targeting the opposition leader as political retaliation and an excessive indictment," adding, "This is an opportunity to rectify the election law and judicial system that caused the excessive investigation and indictment." He also expressed, "I extend my consolation and congratulations to Representative Lee Jae-myung, who has suffered during this time."
Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said, "I'm relieved. As a party member, I feel a sense of relief," adding, "There is much to be done moving forward. It is a crisis of constitutional order. We must unite our efforts at this time." He continued, "We cannot overlook the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol or the forest fire that threatens our livelihood."
The Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul High Court concluded that statements made by Representative Lee, including that he did not know the late Kim Moon-gi, a key practitioner during his time as the mayor of Seongnam, that he had never played golf with him during overseas trips, and that he changed the use of the Baekhyeon-dong site under pressure from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, were not considered false facts.
Earlier, the first trial court ruled that the statements "I have never played golf together" and "changed the use of the Baekhyeon-dong site under pressure from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport" were classified as false facts and sentenced Lee to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence.