이 대통령, 노웅래 무죄에 “정치검찰 패악질에 읍참마속···뒤늦은 사죄”

South Korean President Lee stated on the evening of the 21st that former New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) lawmaker No Wonyeol, who was indicted for allegedly receiving millions of won in political funds and vote-buying, had been found not guilty at a second trial. He expressed his condolences to No, stating that he had no choice but to accept his fate due to the political persecution by the political police.

In a message on X, Lee pledged to build a country where the national power would never be abused to harm innocent citizens again. On the same day, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal 5-2 Division found No not guilty of the same charges after his first trial. No had been indicted in March 2023 for allegedly giving 5 million won to the wife of logistics company executive Park Hwa-young between February and December 2020, based on allegations of violating the Political Fund Act.

Lee mentioned "political persecution" in February 2024, when No was found ineligible to run for office in the 22nd presidential election due to the same charges. That year, Park from the Citizens' Power (Seoul) won the election in the Seoul Mapo District and became the new party leader. Lee explained that he had to exclude No from the party to ensure the country's fate was decided by the will of the people, and he had to lead the party to victory.

He expressed his regret for No's elation at being found not guilty, but also for the loss of his political career in the subsequent election when a new talent had to be brought in and No supported the opposition campaign. Lee concluded by saying that No was finally proven not guilty at the second trial, but the country had already lost too much due to the political persecution case.

NPAD party chairman Kim Min-seok also tweeted on X, claiming that No had been unfairly indicted and prosecuted through deceitful means.