(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Choi Pyeong-cheon and Lee Yu-lip = On the 21st, the Democratic Party of Korea urged the prosecution to commit a 'serious crime' for fabricating the indictment after former lawmaker Noh Woong-rae, who was indicted on charges of receiving tens of millions of won in bribes and illegal political funds, was acquitted in the second trial.
Representative Kim Min-seok wrote on Facebook, "This is a case where the prosecution caught a live person through manipulation and framing. People who have been indicted through manipulation know this. Song Young-gil, Noh Woong-rae..."
He continued, "Even though it was a fabricated indictment, you still have to wait until the end to be tried? It's barbaric." He then asked, "At this point, shouldn't the decision be dismissed and the prosecution be guilty of plaster?"
He added, “I send consolation to the heart of former lawmaker Roh, who must have been bruised to the point where it is difficult to congratulate him, and I hope that he will recover from his death.”
Within the party, there was also criticism directed at independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who was the Minister of Justice at the time of the prosecution's investigation into former lawmaker Roh.
Representative Han explained the reason for former lawmaker Roh's arrest at a plenary session of the National Assembly in December 2022, when he was Minister of Justice, and said, "Even the sound of money envelopes rustling was recorded as is."
Representative Song Young-gil, who was indicted on suspicion of 'distributing money envelopes' at the national convention and was acquitted on the grounds of 'illegal evidence', demanded on Facebook, "Han Dong-hoon must respond."
Rep. Song said, “Congressman Han deceived the National Assembly by telling false facts, such as that he heard the sound of a money envelope rustling,” and added, “If Rep. Roh is found not guilty (by the Supreme Court), then-Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon will be held accountable politically and judicially.”
Five-term lawmaker Park Jie-won also said on Facebook, "The prosecution and Rep. Han, who was the Minister of Justice at the time, must answer how to compensate for the injustice." He added, "A rustle (remark) is not an innocent thing. Take responsibility and commit a grave crime."
Meanwhile, regarding former lawmaker Roh's acquittal on Facebook that day, a lawmaker said, "We should not mislead the public as if he was unfairly investigated and tried."
One lawmaker emphasized, "Former lawmaker Noh was not acquitted because it was revealed that he did not actually receive the money. He was acquitted for the formal reason of 'excluding illegally collected evidence (recording files, etc.)'" and "At the court trial stage, he partially admitted to receiving money that day."
He also wrote, "Congressman Song was similarly acquitted for the formal reason of 'exclusion of illegally collected evidence (recording files, etc.)' rather than the substance." He also wrote, "Former Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Kwan-seok for using an envelope of money, and Representative Song's aide for using illegal funds from the Meoksayeon (peace and livelihood issues research institute) were confirmed guilty by the Supreme Court. They seem to know no shame."
