Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok announced plans to address the ongoing election law violation probe involving the presidential campaign committee after the June 3 local elections.
Mayor’s Defiant Stance
The mayor’s team, led by panel chief Kim Jeong-heon, conducted two full-day meetings on the 26th to discuss responses to the allegations against Yoo. Despite public pressure, Yoo remains resolute, stating he plans to participate in the upcoming local elections and views Incheon as his final stronghold.
“Even if the public focuses solely on the panel’s response, it amounts to abandoning the election effort,” Yoo declared. “We will execute necessary actions following the local elections.”
Scandal Timeline and Public Backlash
The probe into election law violations began on November 28 last year. Officials indicate the first court ruling on the matter could come within six months. Although the panel acknowledged shifting public opinion, it proceeded with another intensive meeting on the 26th.
During discussions, Yoo dismissed concerns over public opinion surveys. He claimed 110 out of over 110 SNS responses directly targeted him, while others were unrelated. Regarding ARS polls, he attributed high response rates to excessive participation, noting that prior election surveys relied on verified exit pollsters.
No Foreign Interference Allegations
Yoo emphasized he holds no current role in UK exit polling and faces no legal violations. Meeting participants reviewed inputs from non-Koreans and audits, including central strategy sessions and election planning, confirming no evidence of foreign election meddling.
Party Leaders’ Views
Five of six former and current party executives present agreed public opinion data appeared accurate but urged legal verification. “Whether trends reflect true sentiment requires thorough legal review,” one stated. Another highlighted the need to examine related legal ties.
One executive attributed major shifts to self-inflicted national election losses and expressed intent to step aside post-meeting.
Massive Voter Outreach Efforts
Despite the probe, Yoo rallied Incheon party leaders during an April mass citizen rally for election support. His team, including six executives, mobilized extensive activities: analyzing 116 SNS public opinion items, broadcasting 1.8 million ARS messages, and tracking past election turnout.
Some executives view these efforts as boasting during a sensitive pre-election period.
