Rep. Kwon Seong-dong of the People Power Party (PPP) lost his National Assembly seat on the 16th after a two-year prison sentence was finalized on charges of receiving illegal political funds from the Unification Church, as PPP Floor Leader Chung Jum-sik declared that "the suppression of the opposition and biased investigations will surely face the judgment of history."
Chung held a press conference at the National Assembly that day and made the remarks, saying, "My heart ached upon hearing the news of the Supreme Court's ruling on Rep. Kwon." While stating that "we accept the Supreme Court's ruling," he pointed out, "However, this case began with an investigation by the Min Joong-ki special counsel, which covered up the suspicion of the Unification Church's bribery involving Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo and let the statute of limitations lapse."
He continued, "From the Min Joong-ki special counsel to the three comprehensive special counsels, investigations were launched only into testimony concerning opposition politicians," rebuking it as "guilty for the opposition, innocent for the ruling party."
Directed at the Supreme Court, he urged, "If trials of opposition politicians are handled swiftly while trials of the highest power holder drag on endlessly, the judiciary cannot earn the people's trust," adding, "Please make efforts so that the five trials of the highest power holder can be resumed promptly."
Kwon, whose loss of his Assembly seat has been finalized, said through Facebook, "I cannot hide my deep regret over the judgment of facts and the application of legal principles," while adding, "I will humbly accept the judiciary's final decision." He continued, "The mobilization of state institutions to bring down one person, and the shaking of laws and systems to topple one political party, must now stop," adding, "I hope political retaliation ends with me alone."
