"Kim Moon-gi Does Not Know" Lee Jae-myung's 'False Statement' Trial Also Impacted

Yoo Dong-gyu's Bold Remarks: "The Three Even Rode a Golf Cart Together in Australia"
Lee's Presidential Campaign Official Meets Kim's Family, Says "First Answered 'I Don't Know'... Please Help"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th, preparing for the meeting with a firmly closed mouth. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The trial of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who has been indicted on charges of false statement publication under the Public Official Election Act, is turning unfavorable for him.

Lee stated that he "did not know" Kim Moon-gi, former Head of Development Division 1 at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, who took extreme measures after being investigated by the prosecution during the presidential election process, because Kim was a subordinate employee.

However, the situation changed as Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, who was released after his detention period expired, made a series of determined statements. In a recent media interview, Yoo said, "Does (Lee) not know Kim Moon-gi? The three of us played golf together and rode carts in Australia." Yoo also claimed that he approved the yacht expenses Lee incurred in New Zealand.

According to the family of former Director Kim, a former head of a Gyeonggi Province-affiliated institution who was part of Lee’s campaign during the presidential election, after a phone call with the family and a subsequent meeting, said that Lee’s statement denying knowledge of Kim was a general response and asked for help.

On the 25th, legal circles and others analyzed that, separate from the investigation into the ‘illegal presidential election funds’ involving Kim Yong, Deputy Director of the Democratic Research Institute, the trial on Lee’s violation of the Public Official Election Act would also be significantly affected.

The prosecution is highly likely to call former Director Yoo as a witness in Lee’s trial. If Yoo reveals circumstances that Kim, who was the head of the main department for the Daejang-dong development project, reported directly to Lee and discussed the development project together, Lee is expected to suffer a major blow. If a fine exceeding 1 million won is confirmed, Lee will lose his parliamentary seat and be disqualified from running for office for five years.

A lawyer who is a former chief judge said, "The credibility of the testimonies must be examined during the trial," but added, "Statements supporting the prosecution’s charges are emerging, so the court will inevitably consider them."

Previously, the prosecution stated in the indictment that "Kim repeatedly reported work related to the Daejang and Wirye New Town developments to Lee, who was then mayor of Seongnam, and accompanied him on unofficial schedules during an 11-day, 9-night business trip to Australia and New Zealand."

Lee’s side completely denied the charges at the first trial for violation of the Public Official Election Act held on the 18th. Lee did not attend the trial as he was not obligated to appear. His defense attorney stated that they deny the prosecution’s charges themselves.

However, the defense said they have not finished reviewing the large volume of investigation records submitted by the prosecution and will provide detailed opinions on each item at the next pretrial preparation hearing. The court also requested that opinions on each charge be presented. The next trial is scheduled for the 22nd of next month.