Lee Jae-myung, Ki Dong-min, and Lee Soo-jin All Subject to Article 80-3
All 69 Written and On-site Attending Party Committee Members Approve
The Democratic Party of Korea on the 22nd reached a unanimous decision not to apply Article 80 of the party constitution to Representative Lee Jae-myung and lawmakers Ki Dong-min and Lee Soo-jin. The charges against the three were deemed political oppression.
Kim Eui-gyeom, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said after the party's executive committee meeting held at the National Assembly that day, "It was resolved that 'according to Article 80, Clause 3 of the party constitution, it is recognized that there are unjust reasons such as political oppression against the three individuals, Representative Lee, Rep. Ki, and Rep. Lee.'" He added, "Accordingly, the executive committee decided not to apply Article 80, Clause 1, which stipulates that duties are suspended immediately upon indictment and an ethics committee investigation can be requested."
The Democratic Party's Article 80, Clause 1, provides that party officials at all levels who are indicted for legal violations related to corruption, such as bribery and illegal political funds, shall have their duties suspended immediately upon indictment and an investigation requested by the ethics committee at each level. However, since the party convention last August, an exception clause has been included stating that "if it is recognized that there are unjust reasons such as political oppression, a different decision can be made through a resolution of the executive committee."
Earlier that day, Representative Lee was indicted without detention in connection with the 'Wirye-Daechang-dong development corruption' and 'Seongnam FC illegal sponsorship' cases. Upon learning of Lee's indictment, the Democratic Party immediately held an emergency supreme council meeting and convened the executive committee.
Despite the indictment, Representative Lee was allowed to continue performing his duties as party leader due to reasons such as 'political oppression.'
It is reported that no one raised objections to defining the indictment of Representative Lee and others as 'political oppression' during the executive committee meeting that day. Spokesperson Kim said, "Thirty-nine members participated in writing, and 30 attended in person at the executive committee meeting," adding, "All 69 members agreed to apply the exception."
Regarding the convening of the executive committee on the day of Representative Lee's indictment, Spokesperson Kim explained, "Political oppression was already very clear, and there was a consensus that the party needed to quickly show unity against this oppressive intent." He added, "As Representative Lee expressed, the prosecution's indictment was a predetermined outcome. Since it was an expected situation, the supreme council had long agreed that if an indictment occurred, the executive committee would be promptly convened to make a resolution."
Due to the special nature of the matter, the executive committee meeting that day was led by Park Hong-geun, the Democratic Party floor leader, acting on behalf of Representative Lee.
Similarly, Representatives Ki and Lee also received the same treatment regarding the prosecution's indictment, allowing them to continue performing their party duties without issue.
Regarding Representatives Ki and Lee, who were also granted the exception along with Representative Lee, Spokesperson Kim explained, "Unlike the prosecution's indictment details, their defenses were persuasively presented." He mentioned, "The application of the exception clause was decided not based on whether there was guilt or not, but on whether the prosecution had the intent of political oppression." Kim added, "This case had already been closed several years ago, but the prosecution suddenly brought it up just one day before the statute of limitations expired, which itself is a sign of political oppression."
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