Lee Jae-myung on Lee Myung-bak's Prison Sentence: "Those Who Wielded Guns and Swords Against the People Are Still Roaming Freely"

Prosecutors Disguising 'Injustice' as 'Justice' to Suit the Powerful
Must Prevent the 'President's Tragic History' Through Consistent Prosecutorial Reform Based on Law and Principles

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, argued that the reason the prosecution turned 'injustice' into 'justice' regarding the confirmed prison sentence of former President Lee Myung-bak, and that the power holders exploited this, is why prosecutorial reform is more urgent than anything else in South Korea today.

On the 30th, through a post titled "A Society Where Laws and Principles Are Upheld Through Prosecutorial Reform" on Facebook, Governor Lee stated, "The confirmed prison sentence of former President Lee Myung-bak, who stole the people's money by abusing state power, is imminent, and he is about to be incarcerated," adding, "It must be painful for him personally, but it is also a misfortune for the nation."

He further pointed out, "The repeated tragic history of former presidents occurred because the prosecution, the last guardian of legal order, could turn injustice into justice according to the tastes of those in power, and the power holders could exploit this," adding, "If laws and principles had always been upheld equally for everyone, the incumbent president would not have committed crimes with a sense of privilege thinking 'I am an exception.'"

Moreover, he added, "The first step to creating a world where laws and principles are consistent is, as President Kim Dae-jung said, 'for the prosecution to stand upright,' and that path is prosecutorial reform that holds everyone to the same standards and responsibilities."

Governor Lee also expressed regret, indirectly criticizing the still influential Jeon Du-hwan, saying, "Those who stole money by abusing the state power entrusted by the people are now going to prison, but those who wielded guns and swords entrusted by the people against the people are still active in reality."